Joe's Book Cafe 21

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Joe's Book Cafe 21

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1jnwelch
Edited: Sep 24, 2014, 10:41 am







Art by Edward Gorey

Welcome back to the cafe!

2jnwelch
Edited: Oct 12, 2014, 6:15 pm

Favorites from 2013

Top 5

1. Longbourn by Jo Baker
2. Benediction by Kent Haruf
3. Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr
4. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
5. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley

Second Five

6. The Greater Journey by David McCullough
7. Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi wa'Thiong'o
8. Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
9. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
10. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

Favorite Graphic Novel: The Nao of Brown

Three that were hard to keep off the list: Housekeeping, Song of the Lark, and How the Light Gets In

2014 American Author Challenge (kudos to Mark)

Willa Cather- January The Professor's House
Alice Walker- February The Color Purple
Cormac McCarthy - March The Orchard Keeper
Toni Morrison- April Sula
Eudora Welty- May The Optimist's Daughter
Kurt Vonnegut- June Cat's Cradle (re-read)
Mark Twain- July Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Philip Roth- August The Ghost Writer
James Baldwin- September Notes of a Native Son
Edith Wharton- October Ethan Frome
John Updike- November The Witches of Eastwick
Larry Watson- December Let Him Go

Life-changers

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - opened my eyes to so many creative possibilities, including wordplay
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury - got me believing in school again after a soon-to-be favorite teacher assigned it
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - took a typical self-centered kid out of himself and got me thinking about others; broke my heart for the first time, too
James Wright Collected Poems - midwestern poet caught me and fueled a lifelong interest in poetry
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - read it way post-college and got walloped; started lifelong Austen fandom

Dune by Frank Herbert - got me excited about the possibilities of science fiction, and thinking about environmental effects
Dr. Strange by Stan Lee and others - this hokey, mystical comic book was my favorite as a kid, and fueled my lifelong graphic fandom
Future Shock by Alvin Toffler - he took on emerging issues like economic disparities, overpopulation and pollution; trying to look into the future fascinated me
After the Quake by Haruki Murakami - my entry into his world that started me on lifelong fandom
Remember, Be Here Now by Ram Dass - matched my youthful hippiness perfectly, still working on some of its ideas

The Chosen by Chaim Potok - for the first time, got me enthralled by lives very different from my own
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki - what a mensch this man was; still the best on this subject I've read
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder - made me a fan of both Paul Farmer and author Tracy Kidder, and got me involved with Partners in Health
T.S. Eliot Selected Poems - bowled me over, so I felt like a patient, etherized upon a table; got the complete works later
Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse - fueled my appreciation of the absurd and started a lifelong fandom for this author

2014 Books

January

1. Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein
2. A Conspiracy of Faith by Jussie Adler-Olsen
3. Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb
4. The Professor's House by Willa Cather
5. Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb
6. Die Trying by Lee Child
7. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
8. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming
9. Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink
10. Japantown by Barry Lancet
11. View with a Grain of Sand by Wislawa Szymborska
12. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
13. High Heat by Lee Child

February

14. A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming
15. Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang
16. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
17. Cress by Marissa Meyer
18. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
19. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
20. Stone Cold by C.J. Box
21. The Martian by Andy Weir
22. Necessity's Child by Sharon Lee

March

23. The Orchard Keeper by Cormac McCarthy
24. Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
25. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
26. My Dungeon Shook by Danez Smith
27. Black Boy Suite Black Boy Sweet by Danez Smith
28. Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D.E. Stevenson
29. Little Green by Walter Mosley
30. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
31. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
32. A Truth Universally Acknowledged: Why We Read Jane Austen, edited by Susannah Carson
33. Dream London by Ian Ballantyne
34. Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope
35. Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb
36. Our Friends from Frolix 8 by Philip K. Dick
37. Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes

April

38. New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
39. Refusing Heaven by Jack Gilbert
40. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
41. Sula by Toni Morrison
42. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
43. Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb
44. William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher
45. To Darkness and To Death by Julia Spencer-Fleming
46. Vagabond Vol. 35 by Takehiko Inoue
47. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor
48. Delusion in Death by J.D. Robb
49. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor
50. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

May

51. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak (re-read)
52. The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty
53. Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb
54. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
55. Hexed by Kevin Hearne
56. The Woman Who Wouldn't Die by Colin Cotterill
57. Graveyard of Memories by Barry Eisler
58. Death Without Company by Craig Johnson
59. The Graphic Canon Vol. 1 by Russ Kirk
60. Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson
61. The Boy in His Winter by Norman Lock
62. Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson
63. An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield

June

64. This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki
65. Skin Game by Jim Butcher
66. Scaramouche by Raphael Sabatini
67. Redeployment by Phil Klay
68. Agent Zigzag by Ben Macyntyre
69. The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson
70. Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
71. Junkyard Dogs by Craig Johnson
72. Aimless Love by Billy Collins
73. Shots Fired by C.J. Box
74. Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb
75. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf
76. The Gauguin Connection by Estelle Ryan

July

77. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
78. Solanin by Inio Asano
79. As the Crow Flies by Craig Johnson
80. Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan
81. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
82. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
83. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
84. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
85. Incarnadine by Mary Szybist
86. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
87. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
88. A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor
89. Any Other Name by Craig Johnson

August

90. Midnight in Europe by Alan Furst
91. We were Liars by E. Lockhart
92. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
93. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
94. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
95. Personal: A Jack Reacher Story by Lee Child
96. Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made by David Halberstam
97. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
98. The Ghost Writer by Phillip Roth
99. Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
100. A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr

September

101. The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
102. Open Season by Archer Mayor
103. The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman
104. Bitch in a Bonnet by Robert Rodi
105. Some Buried Caesar by Rex Stout
106. Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly by Agatha Christie
107. The Last Policeman by Ben Winters
108. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
109. Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami
110. Leonardo and the Last Supper by Ross King

October

111. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
112. Daunt Books Children's Short Story Competition 2014 with an intro by Marcus Sedgwick
113. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
114. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
115. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
116. Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan
117. The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer
118. The Haymeadow by Gary Paulsen

3drachenbraut23
Sep 24, 2014, 11:09 am

Woah, it looks like I am the first visitor to your new thread. As usual extremely beautiful pics to open your thread. Congrats to another wonderful thread with lots of interesting conversations. I see you managed some very versatile and impressive reading so far. Quite a few of them I read myself and enjoyed them immensly.

Glad to hear that you and Debbi arrived well back home and I am looking forward to see you back in London next year. I have been trying desperately to organize some tickets for a crowd of 5 women to see Electra at the Old Vic, but as usual the good plays are almost sold out before they even started :(.

I read on fb that you immensly enjoyed the guided Jewish Quarter Tour and I am planning to go on that one when Alex comes from Germany next week. My friend who has been on holiday with us this summer is also interested to join us with her boy. So, another activity to look forward to :)

4Smiler69
Sep 24, 2014, 12:07 pm

Now you KNOW you've got to be making my day with Edward Gorey, of all people! I managed to get my hands on the 4th and last of the Amphigorey books via our new ILL system this weekend. It's actually Amphigorey Also, which is the 3rd book in that omnibus series, but the only one they didn't have in our municipal library system, and of course I HAD to have it after going through the other three over the summer. He's been such a treat. I'm sure I'll be borrowing those books again. As it is I own a couple of his individual books already; Gashlycrumb Tinies and The Unstrung Harp, the latter of which I got after seeing it in Amphigorey, but I'm sure I'll get other of his individual works eventually, if they don't break the bank.

Happy New Thread Joe! Gotta run!

5msf59
Sep 24, 2014, 12:21 pm

Happy New Thread, Joe! Love those Gorey images.

Another beauty out here, my friend. I am loving Giovanni's Room. Have you started your Baldwin yet? I know you are juggling a couple others.

6maggie1944
Sep 24, 2014, 3:08 pm

I want that cup! I, too, love Gorey and his unique and curious art.

7jnwelch
Edited: Sep 24, 2014, 3:19 pm

>3 drachenbraut23:



Way to go, Bianca! Nice to see you - I hope you're feeling and doing well.

It's been another good reading year. A lot of LT influence, like Jodi Taylor and Cloud Atlas, and some wild cards. I really enjoyed that Strange Weather in Tokyo, btw.

If we could we'd turn around and fly back to London right now. What a great time. We can't wait to come back to visit you and your one-half of your tandem city next year.

Yes, we thought the guided Jewish Quarter tour was excellent, and I think Darryl had the same reaction. The guide, Judy, was a standout, and for me the highlight was the visit to the city's oldest (1701) surviving synagogue, Bevis Marks/Gate of Heaven, including the talk by a lifetime congregant member named Morris. I look forward to hearing what you think of the tour.

Oh, I wish we could join you.

>4 Smiler69: :-) Ha! Yes, indeed, I believe there were clues scattered here and there that you're a Gorey fan, Ilana. My folks were fans, too, and I have wonderful memories of the little books like Gashlycrumb Tinies and The Unstrung Harp. The Doubtful Guest, seen enjoying a sundae (?) in the third illustration above, was one of my favorites.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you're getting something like our gorgeous weather here.

>5 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Aren't those illustrations fun? Just seeing one of his makes me smile.

It's another beauty out there, no bout adoubt it. I managed to take a lengthy walk in it, although slowing down my mind to appreciate it took some effort. I prefer vacation mode mind!

Yes, I just finished the very good Strange Weather in Tokyo, so Baldwin's Notes of a Native Son is up next. Debbi has joined Paperback Swap, and has been having excellent luck getting me AAC books. Glad you're loving Giovanni's Room. I've only read his Go Tell It on the Mountain before, which I thought was terrific.

8Thebookdiva
Sep 24, 2014, 3:23 pm

Happy new thread, Joe!

9jnwelch
Sep 24, 2014, 3:28 pm

>8 Thebookdiva: Thanks, Abby! Good to see you. I hope you're having an enjoyable start to Fall at the Pecan Paradisio.

10benitastrnad
Sep 24, 2014, 3:31 pm

Didn't you read Cloud Atlas while in London? It isn't on your September reading list at the top. I know that you are still tired and jet-lagged, but wondered when the cafe was going to open. It is now officially the season of the beloved Starbuck's Spiced Pumpkin Latte. I am personally not that big of a fan of them. I prefer a simple Hazelnut cappuccino, but I know that millions of others out there are in love with that particular Starbuck's specialty.

11jnwelch
Sep 24, 2014, 3:36 pm

>10 benitastrnad: Good reminder on Cloud Atlas, Benita, thanks! I'll go up to fix it after this. I did indeed read it in London. I'm going to try to do some mini-reviews soon. My mind's normally in something akin to an altered state, but you're right that I'm more boggled than usual.

Oh, you will have to meet our daughter. The words "It is now officially the season of the beloved Starbuck's Spiced Pumpkin Latte" could have come right out of her mouth. She is so happy when that beloved drink reappears. She's among those millions of others you mention. Hazelnut is too much for me (might be a guy thing), but I do like a good cappuccino.

12NarratorLady
Sep 24, 2014, 3:53 pm

Welcome home Joe!

13jnwelch
Sep 24, 2014, 4:01 pm

>12 NarratorLady: Thanks, Anne! Good to see you here. What are you reading these days? Narrating?

14ronincats
Sep 24, 2014, 4:04 pm

Let me jump in quickly here, since I missed most of your last thread during our own trip. I did indeed visit Elliott Bay Books, Joe.

15jnwelch
Sep 24, 2014, 4:18 pm

>13 jnwelch: :-) Thanks for stopping by, Roni. I saw your photo of Elliott Bay Books over on your thread. Love that store! It may be my favorite U.S. one that I've been to, with the Strand probably at #2. But I haven't been to Powell's, or Tattered Cover, or others that I'd like to visit. My MBH and I are talking about how to arrange to get to those.

16DeltaQueen50
Sep 24, 2014, 6:41 pm

Great new thread, Joe. Do you think you could manage to deliver a cup of tea to the top of the zagava tree for me - it looks like a lovely place for a cuppa!

17LovingLit
Sep 25, 2014, 2:29 am

>11 jnwelch: looking forward to your take on Cloud Atlas, a weird (or as Wilbur would say- "random") read, for me anyway. I loved it though and still want to see the film version

18scaifea
Sep 25, 2014, 6:33 am

Happy New Thread, Joe! Love, love *love* Gorey!

19jnwelch
Sep 25, 2014, 9:26 am


Oh, I just found this Gorey gem:



>16 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. Sure, tea at tree top - what better way to start the day?



>17 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. Cloud Atlas was indeed weird, which usually will commend a book to me. I'll try to say a few words about it today or tomorrow.

We've decided we do want to see the film version, too, although it is so hard to imagine how in the world they've done it. I know they carry over the same actors from "short story" to "short story" (best way I can put it) to help with continuity, but even that is hard to imagine.

>18 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! Me too on that triple Gorey love with a couple of asterisks - sounds a bit like a figure skating move, doesn't it? I was glad to stumble upon the new one just above.

20Thebookdiva
Sep 25, 2014, 9:27 am

Cloud Atlas has been on my reading list for some time now. We are indeed loving the fall weather here and hope it continues for the rest of September.

>10 benitastrnad: *Gasp* I completely forgot that the heavenly Starbuck's Spiced Pumpkin Latte is now in season! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

21jnwelch
Sep 25, 2014, 10:41 am

>20 Thebookdiva: :-) Love that *Gasp*, Abby!

Cloud Atlas is unlike anything else I've read, and it does seem to be one any book-lover should experience. His facility with very different writing styles is fairly jaw-dropping, and he knows how to tell a good yarn. Combine that with the structural ingenuity, and you've got quite a piece of work. A couple of parts are ick and yuck, but there's a reason for them.

22jnwelch
Edited: Sep 25, 2014, 12:41 pm



A favorite of Nero Wolfe fans, and I can see why. In Some Buried Caesar, ace assistant Archie Goodwin is driving Wolfe and his precious orchids to an orchid competition (!), but a tire blows and they skid into a tree. When they cross a fenced-in pasture to get some help, an angry bull goes after them, leaving Wolfe atop a rock and Archie vaulting the fence. Turns out farm owner Tom Pratt has bought the championship bull to barbecue and eat him with friends, as a publicity stunt for his "pratteria" restaurant chain. Locals are peeved, and while Wolfe and Goodwin are recuperating, a neighbor is killed, apparently by the bull, who is found shoving the body around the pasture. Wolfe thinks it's murder, and soon gets himself hired to find out. The sharply portrayed, feisty characters and the twisty solution make for fine reading. Part of the fun is having the renowned armchair detective out amongst the populace. I hadn't really been satisfied reading in this series until this one. If you haven't read Stout, or have but not this one, go on and treat yourself. Four stars.

Fer de Lance starts the series, if you want to get grounded first.



Agatha Christie wrote this novella, Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly, in 1954 to raise money for stained glass windows for her Devon, England church. She eventually developed it into Dead Mans' Folly. I enjoyed reading Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore Folly in this form, with the story stripped down, and it enhanced my appreciation of what she accomplished in the very fine Dead Man's Folly. Among other things, this one gives a glimpse into her skill in crafting her books. At the same time, it's a cracking good read. Our daughter and I jumped on it when it recently became available at a low price on Kindle.

Poirot gets a call from detective fiction writer and returning guest star Ariadne Oliver (love her character!), who senses something is awry in an interactive mystery murder play she has agreed to design and stage at a country house. Somehow someone has been subtly and indirectly guiding its contents. Oliver is the means for Christie to poke fun at herself, and she obviously relishes it.

The character meant to play the murder victim ends up really dead. What went wrong - or from the murderer's perspective, right - and why? Dame Agatha's the best when it comes to red herrings, and there are plenty of them. A challenging puzzle in an irresistible English country setting. Three stars.



A pre-apocalyptic murder mystery? There's an unusual premise for you. There's a huge asteroid destined to bang into the earth in a few months, and so many despairing people have been hanging themselves in Concord, N.H. that some call it "hanger town". Newly minted Detective Hank Palace of the Concord police department (because so many have left to do their bucket list, or whatever), finds the latest hanging death of a boring insurance functionary suspicious. It has none of the earmarks of the usual suicides, and the deed has been done with an expensive belt that doesn't fit the man's dull wardrobe.

Who cares, we're all going to die anyway? Palace cares. A skeptical colleague says, “We’ll call it an attempted murder. It’s a suicide, but you’re attempting to make it a murder.” Palace has always wanted to be a detective, and he's going to do his job the right way. We pull for Palace as he follows hunches and tracks down clues, as some around him are listless and have to be kicked into gear, while others grudgingly respect his resolve in the face of impending disaster.

This is the first in a trilogy, and Winters does a creditable job of portraying individuals idiosyncratically facing unavoidable extinction. At one point Palace says to a diner waitress he admires, “I feel like I wasn’t made for these times.”

“I don’t know, kid,” the waitress responds. “I think maybe you’re the only person who was.”

Four stars.

23Smiler69
Sep 25, 2014, 10:42 am

I've asked my mum about Edward Gorey Joe, that is, whether he was an early influence for me, as I somehow seem to remember him being around since time immemorial, but don't seem to have gotten a response. I'll just assume he was always around one way or another. Or if not, he is a match made in heaven for me. Love the latest image you've just added. I can't believe what a brilliant artist/writer he was. All those books... text and images and all those rhymes! Truly inspirational.

Hm... I should be moving on to another subject, but I guess my mind is stuck on a groove here for now. Have a great day Joe!

24benitastrnad
Sep 25, 2014, 11:36 am

I've had The Last Policeman on my wish/waiting list for some time. I can tell that I need to move that series up.

25jnwelch
Edited: Sep 25, 2014, 12:36 pm

>23 Smiler69: I can see how inspiring Edward Gorey would be for an artist, Ilana. Skilled, provocative, unique - and so much joy and humor. Isn't that illustration in >19 jnwelch: great? I'm trying to think of other things to do with it.

It's a good groove to be stuck in, for sure. Have a great day, too!

>24 benitastrnad: Yes, you'll be glad you moved The Last Policeman up, Benita. Both Madame MBH and I liked it, and so far that's always been a sign of one that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Recently Orphan Train and If I Stay got the same kind of shared positive reaction.

26msf59
Sep 25, 2014, 2:58 pm

Howdy Joe! Glad you enjoyed the 1st the Last Policeman. I also really enjoyed it and need to get to the final book in the trilogy.

Question: Is it necessary to read the short stories, in between the series books, in both the Iron Druid & St Mary's? Sue has been flying through both of these and might just pass me up. She LOVES our...scratch that...HER Kindle.

27jnwelch
Edited: Sep 25, 2014, 3:09 pm

>26 msf59: I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the Last Policeman trilogy, too, Mark. Katie gives a thumbs-up for the last one.

Man, you've got to get another . . . scratch that . . . YOUR OWN Kindle. Debbi and I each have one, and I can't imagine trying to share. Takes me back to when we had one Dell PC in the house and two kids fighting over it. Our best solution was to ship one of the kids off to college with her own.

So worth it to get the second Kindle - we're talking about reading books, for goodness sake.

I don't know re the Iron Druid series, as I'm behind on that one, but maybe someone else can chip in on that question. As to St. Mary's, I remember one Christmas-related short story, and it isn't necessary for the storyline of the others, but it's also short and who can resist?

28msf59
Sep 25, 2014, 4:19 pm

"we're talking about reading books, for goodness sake." You sure got that right, buster! LOL. Maybe for Christmas...

There is another short story, in St. Mary's called Roman Holiday. I think it's between 3 and 4.

29jnwelch
Sep 25, 2014, 4:33 pm

>28 msf59: I forgot it was a short story. Yes, I enjoyed that one, too. Not "necessary", but good stuff!

30msf59
Sep 25, 2014, 4:56 pm

Ammy is still offering it for a buck, so I'll grab it. Thanks.

I finished a good little GN called, Shoplifter and next up is, Seconds, which, I know you liked.

31LauraBrook
Edited: Sep 25, 2014, 5:05 pm

Oh, I love Gorey! One of my favorite authors when I was younger, John Bellairs, always had Gorey covers. For me, these two artists are always linked.

32jnwelch
Edited: Sep 25, 2014, 5:23 pm

>30 msf59:. I'll be interested to hear what you think about Seconds. It's a perfectly fine read, but I was a bit disappointed after the heights of Scott Pilgrim.

ETA: >31 LauraBrook:. Good to see another Gorey fan, Laura. We have a niece who loved those Bellairs books, too. I remember seeing the Gorey covers. Lucky author! I can imagine you remember the two together.

33Ameise1
Edited: Sep 25, 2014, 5:16 pm

Happy new thread, Joe. I love the drawings.

34ronincats
Sep 25, 2014, 5:28 pm

Ah, I have that Gorey on a sweatshirt. Sweet!

35avatiakh
Sep 25, 2014, 5:38 pm

Me too! Me too with the Gorey love!
There's a great pic of him with all his cats which I really love - http://independentrevolution.net/2014/02/11/the-last-surrealist-edward-gorey-tim...

Must look out for The last policeman

36roundballnz
Sep 26, 2014, 3:25 am

Cloud Atlas is one of my fav books sounds like you enjoyed the ride as well .... good to hear

Started the latest Murakami today .... got a good feeling about this already

37jnwelch
Sep 26, 2014, 9:32 am

>33 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. I'm glad you like them. He's a crack-up, besides everything else.

>34 ronincats: Which one, Roni? The no such thing as too many books? I should try to find that.

>35 avatiakh: Ha! Turns out there's lots of Gorey love out there in LT world, Kerry, or at least in this cafe. Glad you love him, too. As I was saying to Ilana, I have such fond memories of his little books when I was growing up. Another one I just remembered was The Bug Book.

Wow, I just, without thinking, went to your link and looked at the Gorey with cats photo (which is great) and I didn't lose this post! I can't remember the last time I went away from a post here and didn't lose it.

Yes, The Last Policeman is definitely worth grabbing.

>36 roundballnz: Enjoyed the ride in Cloud Atlas is a good way to put it, Alex. I'm still trying to figure out how to describe that structure, but it's a bit like riding a roller coaster up to the top, and then riding it back down.

Yeah, I know you like our friend Haruki's writing, so I've little doubt you'll enjoy this latest one.

38Smiler69
Sep 26, 2014, 10:11 am

All the Gorey books you're mentioning Joe, I've had the pleasure of going over thanks to the Amphigorey series, which reproduces them all. Really worth it for that. They're not very expensive, as available as ppbks anyway, so I might end up getting the series for myself to keep eventually, but we'll see. Once I have my shelves, I'll decide about buying more physical books. But yes, The Bug Book was another fun one.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

39jnwelch
Sep 26, 2014, 10:23 am

>38 Smiler69: Hi, Ilana. I remember the first Amphigorey, although not that there were four(!) I'm going to have to pick them up, too, over time. I'll have to ask my dad, who may not remember, what the heck happened to the ones we had when I was a wee bug myself. They were really cool little pasteboard hardcovers. With any luck they're at the home of my bibliophile sister.

Hope you have a wonderful day, too, along with your furry, lie-on-the-book sidekick!

40jnwelch
Edited: Sep 26, 2014, 10:49 am



Cloud Atlas is a series of first person stories told in different narrative styles. The first is about a 19th-century American lawyer, Adam Ewing, crossing the Pacific in 1850, with an Australian native who believes Ewing saved his life, an English physician with questionable motivations, and some stomach-turning sailors. The second is about a spirited young British composer, a bit of a con man, who in 1931 talks a dying genius into taking him on as an amanuensis. This narrator, Robert Frobisher, composes the Cloud Atlas Sextet for piano, clarinet, cello, and three other instruments , "each in its own language of key, scale and colour". His story is told through letters to the man who loves him, Rufus Sixsmith. Sixsmith in turn is a nuclear scientist in the next story, a kind of thriller featuring young journalist Luisa Rey, who uncovers a diabolical corporate cover-up of nuclear safety issues, and has her life endangered because of it. The fourth story is narrated by Timothy Cavendish, a 1980s London vanity publisher, who has an unexpected publishing success and then is trapped in a suburban old people's home by a family member. The fifth science fiction-y story is narrated by Sonmi-451, a cloned slave working in some future McDonald's-parody burger joint, who shows an exceptional ability to learn and to function "outside". The sixth and last story is an after the fall of civilization (post Sonmi) tale centered around young tribe member Zachry in the Pacific islands where Ewing was crossing in the first story.

We essentially get the first half of each story, moving linearly forward in time, in the first half of the book, and then the second half of each story, starting with Zachry's furthest into the future and moving backwards in time to finish with Adam Ewing's. Someone who has studied this book more closely could explain better why and the effect of that, but I can say it works, and causes the reader to weave the stories together in a way that wouldn't have happened in a straightforward sequential presentation. Also, each narrator is mentioned or appears in the subsequent story in some fashion, which also helps tie it all together. There are other links, like a comet-looking birthmark that appears in each story.

This is virtuoso storytelling, and it seems to be a commentary on the importance of storytelling to us as well as a page-turner in its own right. As he effortlessly shifts between narrative styles, it's impossible not to think, "I'm being told a new story", but also impossible (for me, anyway), not to think, "oh, good." Zachry's was probably the hardest for me to get into at first, as it uses a made-up patois, but after a few pages it starts to sink in and seem natural.

As one character says, "Travel far enough, you meet yourself." That seems to fit the underlying theme in this book. Travel far enough in history, travel far enough in stories, travel far enough in our world, and you meet yourself. Another interesting one: "Power, time, gravity, love. The forces that really kick ass are all invisible.” As to the Cloud Atlas, Zachry says, “Souls cross ages like clouds cross skies, an' tho' a cloud's shape nor hue nor size don't stay the same, it's still a cloud an' so is a soul. Who can say where the cloud's blowed from or who the soul'll be 'morrow? Only Sonmi the east an' the west an' the compass an' the atlas, yay, only the atlas o' clouds.”

My favorite stories were those of the rascally composer and the on-the-run journalist Luisa Rey, but they're all good. The shifts in language and style are supple, and the interwoven threads are both pleasurably puzzling and important to the larger-than-its-parts whole. The overall effect is beguiling. Four and one-half stars.

41benitastrnad
Sep 26, 2014, 1:35 pm

I agree with everything you have said about this Cloud Atlas. I also liked Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. So far the only David Mitchell book I really can't seem to get into is - Black Swan Green. I am listening to it on my Nook and it is going very slowly. I hope to get to Bone Clocks before the end of the year. Also will try to read Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki next month along with Mark.

42jnwelch
Edited: Sep 26, 2014, 2:47 pm

>41 benitastrnad: Oh good, Benita, thanks. I'm glad to hear you had the same experience with Cloud Atlas and that the review makes sense to you. This is the only Mitchell I've read, so I also appreciate your recommendation on Thousand Autumns.

Fingers crossed you get caught up in Colorless Tsukuru. As I said before, I like his crazier ones best, but I've enjoyed them all, regardless, including this one. For me, the one of his it's most like is Norwegian Wood, which has its own exuberant fan base.

43benitastrnad
Edited: Sep 26, 2014, 9:55 pm

Some readers don't think that Thousand Autumns lives up to Mitchell's earlier books. I have to say that I enjoyed it. He managed to transport me into early 18th century Japan and make me believe the characters, and that is a good thing.

Of all the Murakami I have read Norwegian Wood is my least favorite, but I finished reading it, so how bad can it be? I am looking forward to reading his new one.

Tomorrow I plan on making a batch of Punjabi Cabbage in the crock pot. The cooler weather is making me think of warmer foods.

44msf59
Sep 27, 2014, 7:06 am

Happy Saturday, Joe! Great review of Cloud Atlas. I think you summed it up perfectly. It is a book that will stick with you forever too. A one of a kind biblio-experience.
I am continuing to enjoy the Bone Clocks but this is a different animal in the early going.

Hope you have a terrific weekend. It looks like the weather will be beautiful.

45EBT1002
Edited: Sep 27, 2014, 3:02 pm

Hello, Joe. Happy Saturday!
Nice review of Cloud Atlas which I have not yet dragged off my TBR shelf and read. I think I'm going to read The Bone Clocks in the next few weeks but your comments are giving me second thoughts about reading the former first.

I love the Gorey artwork. I always love his work but have not sought it out to become truly familiar with it. Perhaps I should spend a little time learning about him and his art (rather than just liking it when I happen to see it).

I hope you're having a great weekend. And of course I look forward to connecting next time you're in Seattle, if plans allow.

46maggie1944
Sep 27, 2014, 3:17 pm

And while on that topic, if you should plan a trip to Portland, and Powell's, I might find a way to connect there. I love that store.

47drachenbraut23
Sep 27, 2014, 3:32 pm

Hello Joe,

brilliant review of Cloud Atlas my first Mitchell I read and which I utterly loved. However, did you notice in the book the references to the 1974 Science Fiction Movie "Soylent Green" with Charlton Heston?

Before I read the book I actually watched the movie with Alex and some of the scenes really confused me - and you know what? - my child was sitting next to me and howling with laughter. Well, he was the one who then(than?) pointed the references to "Soylent Green" out to me. Obviously, when I read the book I was really interested to see if it was just in the movie, but NO it was in the book as well.

I also liked The Thousand Autumns, also very different to Cloud Atlas and I just bought a view days ago The Bone Clocks as the unabridged audiobook version.

I got very lucky and finally managed to get tickets for Electra at the Old Vic at the beginning of October. A play we are all very excited about.

Almost finished The Golem doing tandem reading at present - the book in English and the audiobook in German *grin* - have to train my brain cells somehow -

48mckait
Sep 27, 2014, 5:49 pm

How on earth did I miss a new cafe? Sorry...it has been a perplexing day or three...

Nice new digs btw

49roundballnz
Sep 27, 2014, 11:15 pm

>37 jnwelch: Tis very good I finished today ...... one of his best I must admit

50ronincats
Sep 27, 2014, 11:59 pm

Yes, the Gorey on my sweatshirt is the one about too many books, Joe!

51Whisper1
Sep 28, 2014, 12:32 am

Congratulations on reading so many wonderful books this year Joe. You are a true inspiration.

52Ameise1
Sep 28, 2014, 5:53 am

Joe, I wish you a lovely Sunday. Here we go with some rosemary bourbon cider.

53lkernagh
Sep 28, 2014, 11:36 am

Swinging by the new cafe with hellos and to say that is a wonderful review of Cloud Atlas! I must remember to read my copy sometime soon. Happy Sunday, Joe!

54jnwelch
Edited: Sep 28, 2014, 12:35 pm

Lots of goofing off going on. Saw a terrific, joyful production of "The Magic Flute" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater with Madame MBH, Becca and her pal Daisy Friday night. Performed by a South African troupe from Capetown with percussion instruments and lots of uplifting dancing.

>43 benitastrnad:. Eighteenth century Japan will probably work well for me, Benita. Thanks for bringing up Thousand Autumns.

Norwegian Wood is my least favorite of his, too! and it's still awfully good, isn't it? For some, it's their favorite of his. The different order of likes is starting to sound like Jane Austen's books in that regard.

Too hot here to think about warm food. Low 80s! Iced coffee this a.m.

>44 msf59:. Thanks, Mark! I know you're a fan of Cloud Atlas, so I'm particularly glad you liked the review. What did you think of his Thousand Autumns?

Unbelievably beautiful weather. We just finished a lonnnggg breakfast and coffee walk. Hope it's like this for the Ravenswood Art Walk next weekend.

>45 EBT1002:. We love Seattle, Ellen, so we'll figure out a trip back.

I can't comment on Bone Clocks, but I know you won't regret reading Cloud Atlas.

Re Gorey, the Amphigorey books Ilana mentions collect them all, so that would be a great way to get more exposure to his work.

55jnwelch
Sep 28, 2014, 12:51 pm

>46 maggie1944:. I was thinking of the same thing, Karen. I'd love to combine a trip to Seattle with a trip to Portland and Powell's. We'll keep you posted.

>47 drachenbraut23:. I'm glad you liked the review of Cloud Atlas, Bianca. I completely missed the "Soylent Green" references. Were they in Zachry's section? Good for Alex for catching them.

Good to hear another thumbs-up for A Thousand Autumns. Who are the actors in Electra? I'd love to see one at the Old Vic.

I think my brain would explode if I tried to read The Golem simultaneously in English and German. I'm glad you've got the cranial capacity. If you get a chance, please tell us how they compare. I read a lot of authors in translation, like Murakami and Camilleri, and I wonder how much, if any significant amount, goes missing from the original.

>48 mckait:. Thanks, Kath. If I was a genie who could grant more lazy days to one LTer, you'd be my pick.

No worries; the cafe is open 24/7. Glad you like the new digs. We may need to add something inviting out back to take advantage of the good weather.

56jnwelch
Edited: Sep 29, 2014, 9:06 am

>49 roundballnz:. Oh, glad to hear it, Alex. Tsukuru is a good one, isn't it?

He's got The Strange Library coming out this year, too, and I'm sure looking forward to that. Irresistible title for a book nerd.

>50 ronincats:. That is such a cool one, Roni. I want to track it down. He would have been a great LTer if we could've gotten him on here.

>51 Whisper1:. Thanks, Linda! It's like endless Christmas, isn't it, reading books? What better present could we give ourselves.

Late in the year I'll think about top favorites. I know Cloud Atlas will be up there.

>52 Ameise1:. Oh yeah, that hits the spot, Barbara, thanks. Rosemary bourbon cider - that's a new one for me. Hope you've been having a lovely weekend.

>53 lkernagh:. Thanks, Lori, and hello! Glad you liked the review. As you probably gathered, I had Cloud Atlas on my tbr for a long time, too. I'm glad I liked it that much and can recommend it to others. It's not often you come across such a different reading experience, and his skill level is just nuts.

57msf59
Sep 28, 2014, 2:13 pm

Happy Sunday, Joe! Great Bears game! Quite a duel. Really turned around the running game around.

I also really liked Thousand Autumns.

58jnwelch
Sep 28, 2014, 3:16 pm

>57 msf59:. Thanks, Mark - good to hear re Thousand Autumns.

Great Bears game, great duel, but the football gods may be against them. The poor referee-ing is frustrating, and the inability to probably see Bennett stick it across the line at the end of the half was some bad luck. We'll see.

IDP 2043 was pretty good, btw, but I could've used a whole lot more Hannah Berry. She starts it off really well, and the others take over adequately, but generally not at her level.

59drachenbraut23
Edited: Sep 29, 2014, 5:37 am

Yep, if it wouldn't be for Alex I seriously wouldn't have caught them myself. Nope the first one was during the ghastly ordeal of Timothy Cavendish. Do you remember the scene when he tries to flee the nursing home for the first time and shouts "Soylent Green, Soylent Green we are all Human", well and apparently the second reference I can remember was during Somni 451 when they were re-using the slaves to turn them into food for their own kind. I am sure that he pointed some other references out to me as well, which I presently can't remember. I only remembered these so well, because of the initial shouts of Soylent Green, which just didn't make any sense to me.

I have to say when you come back try to see a performance at the Old Vic the theatre, it is just awesome. Ok - here the cast for Electra : Kristin Scott Thomas - Electra, Jack Lowden - Orestes, Tyrone Huggins - Aegisthus, Diana Quick - Clytemnestra, and Liz White as Chrysothemis. My girlfriends and I are so excited.

*grin* of course I let you know how the German/English version of The Golem compared. It's a book which requires a little bit getting used to, but once you are in the story it's fabulous.

60EBT1002
Sep 28, 2014, 6:14 pm

Ilana and Joe, thanks for the tip. I'm requesting Amphigorey from the library.

61Storeetllr
Sep 28, 2014, 9:19 pm

Oh! Just love the Gorey stuff at the top. When I saw the first one, the PBS Mystery theme song came immediately to mind. I used to watch that show faithfully every week. Just loved it!

>26 msf59:, >27 jnwelch: Yes, Mark, you do need your own Kindle! I heard they've come out with a new one, not sure how, but it works in bright sun and dim light. Not very expensive, either. I've got one of the old grey page Kindles and am longing to get a paperwhite. Well, one of these days, I'm sure the old Kindle is going to crash, and then I can splurge.

62roundballnz
Sep 29, 2014, 12:04 am

>56 jnwelch: I had heard about that & it has my curiousity piqued .... BTW might want to check that link its going to the great gadsby

63jnwelch
Edited: Sep 29, 2014, 9:25 am

>59 drachenbraut23: Ha! Yes, as soon as you mentioned the nursing home scene the memory bells started ringing. Oh, I wanted to go and spring him myself from that nursing home!

We'll definitely have the Old Vic on the tba (to be attended). Kristin Scott Thomas is excellent, and I know Jack Lowden is supposed to be hot stuff. I don't know Tyrone H and Diana Q, and no doubt should. Our daughter knows Liz White from The Woman in Black.

Look forward to hearing more about The Golem.

>60 EBT1002: Our pleasure, Ellen. Have fun!

>61 Storeetllr: Ain't he grand, Mary? Yes, I think of the PBS Mystery theme song, too - his drawings and that music were a perfect intro to that show.

Hear that, Mark? Madame MBH and I are total converts on the paperwhite Kindle, Mary. That old grey page just wasn't up to snuff, but the paperwhite reads well, and that backlit booklight for night reading is just what the doctor reader ordered.

Highlighting remains a pain as far as I'm concerned, so that's one of the improvements I'll be looking for down the road.

I'm still sorting out what I like to read on Kindle vs. tree book. I wanted to read Cloud Atlas and Notes of a Native Son in tree book, for example. But Leonardo and the Last Supper is fine for Kindle, although I have to browse the illustrations online and in the tree book, as b & white doesn't do it for an art book. That's another area I'm sure will improve on Kindle in time - color illustrations. Maybe the fancier ones already are better on that?

>62 roundballnz: Yes, I sure hope The Strange Library is good, Alex. Seems like a bit of a departure for him, and it could end up being a curiosity rather than something substantial. We'll see.

P.S Links should be fixed, thanks. The sequel may be, "The Strange Touchstones."

64msf59
Sep 29, 2014, 12:23 pm

Morning, Joe! It is perfect out here and I like seeing some of the fall colors emerging, especially backlit with some sunshine.

Hope your Monday breezes along, my friend...

65Smiler69
Sep 29, 2014, 12:37 pm

Joe, I curse thee (in the mildest possible way) for now having me go on a mad dash to seek out Edward Gorey STUFF. Currently looking out for a mug, but might possibly extend the damage to t-shirts, tote-bag, magnets, and other collectibles found here: http://www.goreystore.com

66jnwelch
Sep 29, 2014, 1:36 pm

>64 msf59: Thanks, Mark. Unfortunately kicked off the week with a work emergency, but it's from one of my favorite guys, so it could be worse.

Determined to get outside in that perfect weather of which you speak. Hope the week continues to start off well for you; we were talking about how we're ready for more fall colors.

>65 Smiler69: Hmm, I'm feeling that same Gorey compulsion, Ilana, especially after seeing that cool mug and Roni's confirmation that there's a >19 jnwelch: sweatshirt out there. Must go to the gorey store . . . (cursing thee, in the mildest possible way, for that inviting link).

67Smiler69
Sep 29, 2014, 1:48 pm

cursing thee, in the mildest possible way, for that inviting link

Yes, well, that was my mild curse on thee so there you go, it goes round and round in circles, like a figure eight! :-)

And don't know about a sweatshirt, because I was focusing on t-shirts, and did see it as such, so let me go check it out for you... as I've got the page open right here...

and...

Nope, that particular print only comes as a t-shirt. Not sure if that'll please or disappoint you at this point. ;-)

68jnwelch
Sep 29, 2014, 2:17 pm

>67 Smiler69: :-) Hard to complain about t-shirt but not sweatshirt. I'll just be thankful that his art is still popular enough that besotted fans can load up on merchandise featuring it.

69Storeetllr
Sep 29, 2014, 5:23 pm

Happy Monday, Joe! On the Kindle highlighting question, what's the problem with the paperwhite? My old grey-screened Kindle highlights okay, though I don't do a lot of it (usually because I'm too engrossed in the story to stop to highlight anything). I should mention that I have the keyboard version of the Kindle ~ now doesn't THAT take you back!?!

I was just on the Amazon Kindle page, and I see that the one I would probably get is touchscreen only. Is that the one you have, or do you have the Voyager? I'm used to turning pages by pressing on the side, which works better I think for me than touching the screen since I often read while I eat, and I am a messy eater sometimes.

70maggie1944
Sep 29, 2014, 5:42 pm

Solution: eat with right hand only, use left hand for turning pages. Discipline! Self-discipline is required.

I did not like it when I had to click the side to get he page to turn, it hurt my arthritic thumb. Wah!

71Storeetllr
Sep 29, 2014, 5:45 pm

Good advice, Maggie. I could do with a little more self-discipline. :) I have arthritis in my thumbs too, but I hadn't considered that the touchscreen option would be better for it.

72jnwelch
Sep 29, 2014, 6:22 pm

>69 Storeetllr: Happy Monday, Mary! I'm mighty glad the work part is just about over. ;-)

The highlighting by touch is just clunky, grey or paperwhite. I find I have to work too hard to get just the text I want. With tree books, I just stick a post-it next to it; easy-peasy.

I'm told their new Kindle has some kind of cool way to turn pages by pressing on the corner of the device. Mine is about a year old now, and I have the turn the page by touch one.

I was just reading that some people put their Kindle in a zip-lock bag to read in the bath tub. No reason you couldn't do the same while in the midst of an enthusiastic bout of eating spaghetti, sloppy joe or other messy food.

>70 maggie1944: Nice, Karen. Discipline is nearly impossible for me my middle name.

This corner of the device thing might turn out not to be comfortable for you, but I understand you can turn pages the old way, too.

>71 Storeetllr: I've tried to convince friends and loved ones to turn the pages for me while feeding me grapes, but so far no luck. I suppose at some point we'll have audio turning - you say "Turn the page", and bob's your uncle.

73ffortsa
Sep 29, 2014, 7:08 pm

Joe, have you tried using a stylus to highlight passages? i'm not much of a highlighter myself, but the stylus can be a lot more accurate than a finger, unless you have really dainty hands - and i can only imagine such an advantage. I'm short and stubby all over!

74jnwelch
Sep 29, 2014, 9:43 pm

>73 ffortsa:. Hmm, intriguing idea, Judy, thanks. I haven't tried that.

Where does one find a stylus? The Stylus store by us closed a while ago.

75ffortsa
Sep 29, 2014, 9:53 pm

>74 jnwelch: LOL. There's always the internet. It's actually an accessory for touch screens (or did you say you didn't have a touch screen? In that case, this whole conversation is useless, alas.)

76jnwelch
Sep 29, 2014, 10:01 pm

>75 ffortsa:. Ha! I do have a touch screen, Judy. Now that you mention it, a friend was talking about the internet just the other day. I'll find it, and ask for the stylus department.

77luvamystery65
Sep 29, 2014, 10:26 pm

Howdy Joe. I am way behind but skimmed your old thread. Your trip to London sounds wonderful. I love the Pulp P&P cover. I hope I can keep up now. :-)

78msf59
Edited: Sep 30, 2014, 7:29 am



Morning Joe! I saw this Jane Austen Bobble head and immediately thought of you. LOL.

I've been enjoying Seconds. It is fresh and original. You'll have to track down a copy of The Bone Clocks. Characters from Cloud Atlas, weave in and out, briefly but in interesting ways. You might recognize more, since you just read it.

79maggie1944
Sep 30, 2014, 7:30 am

That's it! We could set up a business for bobble heads for everyone's favorite authors. An unending supply of subject matter.

80jnwelch
Edited: Sep 30, 2014, 9:24 am

>77 luvamystery65: Good to see you, Roberta! It was a wonderful trip to London. Whenever we (well,, mostly me) start getting grumpy, we remind each other about it. We're already starting to list what we want to do next trip there. Love that city.

Isn't that Pulp P & P hilarious? I was considering leaving it on the store shelf (yes, I have other copies of P &P, go figure), and Madame MBH, thank goodness, looked at me like I was out of my mind.

>78 msf59: Oh yes, I may have to find that one, Mark! You know me well. I already have a Jane "action figure" (pen in hand), and in London got a Jane Christmas tree ornament. This bobble-head would fit right in. :-)

I'm glad you're liking Seconds. I liked Scott Pilgrim so much, I probably didn't give Seconds the open mind I should have. It's definitely fresh and original.

Good to hear you recommending Bone Clocks. The Cloud Atlas characters are definitely top of mind right now.

>79 maggie1944: I like it, Karen! I've got a Shakespeare bobblehead, and you're right, the possibilities are endless. With the advances in 3d printing, we can really get this going.



81jnwelch
Edited: Sep 30, 2014, 10:00 am



Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami is a quiet, and quietly affecting story of a late thirties woman in Tokyo slowly developing a relationship with a now-elderly man who taught her in high school. Its dreamlike quality made me think of Murakami, but her book has quite a different tone, more rooted in everyday life. It was shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize last year.

Office worker Tsukiko is a loner, but feels a sudden kinship with "Sensei" (at first she can't remember his name) when they meet by chance while drinking sake at a local bar. She is stubborn and fierce, while he is distinguished and measured. He does the pouring, because he is graceful and artistic, while she makes a rushed jumble of it. Their dialogue feels natural and true in its quirkiness. He can wax rhapsodic about something as mundane as tofu - "It's good warm. It's good chilled. It's good boiled. It's good fried. It's versatile," while Tsukiko is drawn to his "fair-mindedness": "It wasn't about being kind to me; rather, it was born from a teacherly attitude of being willing to listen to my opinion without prejudice. I found this considerably more wonderful than him just being nice to me."

They go on a mushroom hunt with the bar's owner, they visit Sensei's wife's grave, they argue over baseball, they attend a high school reunion. In this fairly slim volume, Kawakami's writing is spare and the environment she creates is mesmerizing. It seems to be an excellent job of translating by Allison Markin Powell. The gradual tenderness that grows between Tsukiko and Sensei is sweet, and in a Tokyo filled with office workers drinking alone in bars, the reader pulls for them to bridge their differences and build something lasting. The dream-like atmosphere, along with the humor, and the hope, made this a special read. Four and a half stars.

82drachenbraut23
Sep 30, 2014, 7:31 pm

Hello Joe,

Thanks for another great review :). Couldn't resist and got myself the kindle edition. You need to check your touchstone as it leads to "A Briefcase" by the same author.

Almost finished The Golem - very entertaining and fine reading in both languages. I almost forgot that you are also a Kafka fan, well the writing style is obviously different, but they portrait "darkness" in a very similiar way. Apparently he has something from E.T.A. Hoffman as well. Never read anything by him so I will check him out as well.

I thought I offer you another recommendation. I got sometime ago for Alex Manga Shakespeare: Othello illustrated by Ryuta Osada. Thought this might could pique your interest.

83jnwelch
Edited: Sep 30, 2014, 9:03 pm

>82 drachenbraut23:. Thanks, Bianca. I'm so glad you're going to give it a try! She's written a jewel of a book.

No worries on the touchstone. The Briefcase is the alternative title, and the one LT has. Personally, I like the Strange Weather in Tokyo title better, and it does come up in the book. Apparently, in Japan the title is "The Teacher's Briefcase", and you'll see why.

Yeah, that Kafka connection has resonance with me. Looking forward to your reaction when you're done reading Golem.

I have read the manga Shakespeare books, but not the Shakespeare: Othello one, so I'll look for that. Good call, thanks.

84fuzzi
Sep 30, 2014, 10:13 pm

Joe!

There you are...it's been too long. My fault, glad you're still in business. :)

I see you did read Hatchet. Have you read any other books by Gary Paulsen? I liked The Haymeadow.

Cup of Sumatran, black, with a shot of espresso, please. :)

85rosalita
Sep 30, 2014, 10:27 pm

I love the idea of literary bobbleheads! Jane and Will are two good ones to start with, for sure.

86roundballnz
Oct 1, 2014, 1:04 am

Nice review of Strange Weather in Tokyo been on my radar for a bit might have to Kindle-it now ....

87jnwelch
Edited: Oct 1, 2014, 2:04 pm

>84 fuzzi:. Hiya, fuzzi! Good to see you back in the cafe!

We'll have to time jigger you that Sumatra with a shot this afternoon, as I'm on the iPad and we're leaving soon for a funeral service (Really nice guy who led a long, full life).

I liked Hatchet a lot, and need to get to more Paulsen. I'll make sure Haymeadow is one of them.

Don't be a stranger!

ETA:



>85 rosalita:. Silly fun, right, Julia? Apparently the Jane bobblehead is a rare commodity only available second hand for a large sum. But her inspiring action figure can be yours for a modest amount.

I also have a Mozart action figure. He was a bit of a wild boy, apparently, but Jane seems to keep him minding his manners.

>86 roundballnz:. Oh good, Alex. I'm glad you saw that. Strange Weather in Tokyo definitely should be your cuppa.

88Thebookdiva
Oct 1, 2014, 11:21 am

Morning Joe. Ugh, I have already had one chai and one mocha this morning and now I'm craving a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I love hot drinks anyway, but when I'm feeling under the weather my craving goes up for them about 5 notches. I don't think any latte will be in my immediate future though, as we just recently had a trip to Starbucks, *sigh*. Thinking that I might spend the day making some bookmarks to keep my mind off of it...

btw: loving the coffee mugs

89SuziQoregon
Oct 1, 2014, 12:42 pm

Now I feel that I need a Mozart Action Figure

90msf59
Oct 1, 2014, 12:47 pm

Happy Hump Day, Joe! It is a beauty out here. Try to get out for lunch.
Terrific review of Strange Weather. Sounds very good.

Did you see my Booktopia comments on my thread? Some good news for next September. Be there or be SQUARE!!

91jnwelch
Edited: Oct 1, 2014, 2:11 pm

>88 Thebookdiva: Morning/afternoon, Abby. Spending a day making some bookmarks sounds like a fine idea to me. I hope you showcase them on your thread. I'm an incorrigible bookmark taker and even buyer if I like one enough.

Seems to me that a virtual Pumpkin Spice Latte doesn't count on the intake ticker, so here you go:



>89 SuziQoregon: :-) You most definitely do, Juli. I don't know how other houses function without a Mozart action figure.

>90 msf59: Happy Hump Day, Mark! I did get to walk to work from the service in this gorgeousness. Low 60s, lovely - we're a lucky bunch.

Thanks re the review of Strange Weather. Give it a go if a vacant space opens up.

Madame MBH and I talked about your Booktopia comments. Unfortunately, we've got son #1 getting married in May, and Sept. is our trip to London month. So we may have to enjoy it vicariously through you.

92maggie1944
Oct 1, 2014, 3:41 pm

September seems like such an excellent month for traveling. London? Hawaii? Booktopia? S. Africa? Hmmmm, I have to see what I can do with the budget.

93jnwelch
Oct 1, 2014, 4:34 pm

>92 maggie1944: I agree, Karen. It's after the students go back to school, so it's less crowded, and it's a good time of year for the weather as far as I'm concerned.

94benitastrnad
Edited: Oct 1, 2014, 9:41 pm

If I travel it is in October or November as that is when it is less busy at school for me. I spent a rare day at home today, and read about half of Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki. So far it is good, but it does remind me of Norwegian Wood with regard to the plot. However, his writing has vastly improved from that book to this one. I didn't think it was possible for an author that talented to improve, but this book really illustrates smoothness in the writing.

You wouldn't happen to have a nice soothing bowl of cream of mushroom soup in the cafe would you? Soup is about all my sore mouth can handle today.

95cammykitty
Oct 1, 2014, 11:59 pm

I don't think Jane has Wolfy A M under control at all! She's just taught him how not to get caught!

Choc covered coffee beans with watermelon? How did you know we've all vowed to get more energy by better eating. ;)

96fuzzi
Oct 2, 2014, 7:43 am

>87 jnwelch: chocolate-covered espresso beans????????????? :D

97jnwelch
Edited: Oct 2, 2014, 9:13 am

>94 benitastrnad: Yowch, sorry to hear about the sore mouth, Benita. Dentist? Yes, we have that soothing bowl of soup, with more on hand:



>95 cammykitty: Jane does have a sly sense of humor, doesn't she, Katie? You're probably right. Two geniuses who don't take people too seriously - hmm. Lots of possibilities there.

I did think the watermelon was a nice touch with all the esprit de caffeine. We can feel virtuous with fresh fruit added.

>97 jnwelch: I'll bet you had some pop in your step, fuzzi, after Sumatra with a shot and those chocolate-covered espresso beans. More?

98jnwelch
Edited: Oct 2, 2014, 11:20 am



I just finished Notes of a Native Son, the collection of James Baldwin's essays first published in 1954.

They are all well-written. The ones I connected with most strongly were the first person "I" ones, as opposed to the ones where he takes a more distanced, professorial tone. It is disturbing to read about his and others' experiences with "We don't serve Negroes" and the like. I grew up beyond that particular time, but the schools in my town weren't desegregated until the mid-60s. Our struggles today with more subtle racism (e.g. in hiring and advancement to leadership, police misconduct, or even less overt hostility in restaurants) are frustrating and at times outrageous, but the America he describes is an outright nightmare. The rage he and others felt was justified and inevitable.

I've been the only white guy in any number of situations - wonderful, friendly, neutral, uncomfortable, dangerous - but I cannot truly and fully imagine a role reversal where I had to deal with such racism on a daily basis. His book certainly brings a lot of that home, especially in the more personal essays.

99msf59
Oct 2, 2014, 12:17 pm

Hi Joe! I loved your thoughts on the Baldwin. I will have to get to that one at some point. I am also a huge fan of Native Son, although I know Baldwin detested it.

Have you received a package lately?

100Thebookdiva
Oct 2, 2014, 12:43 pm

>91 jnwelch: Your an angel; that looks fabulous.

101jnwelch
Oct 2, 2014, 1:06 pm

>99 msf59: Thanks, Mark. I have to get to The Fire Next Time at some point. I thought Go Tell It on the Mountain was terrific. Like you, I'm a fan of Native Son. He rips it in an essay in this book. Essentially, if I understand him right, he doesn't like that it fits traditional viewpoints and doesn't go far enough. I found it powerful.

As you may have seen, Native Son is being put on in play form here, and the play has been getting positive reviews in the papers.

I did get a package, thank you! I'll pm you about it.

>100 Thebookdiva: :-) Excellent, Abby. It's the most wonderful time of the year for pumpkin spice latte fans, I know.

102Smiler69
Oct 2, 2014, 1:19 pm

Hi Joe, in the waiting room waiting for my neurologist is a great time to catch up on your reviews!

Wishing you a beautiful day.

103maggie1944
Oct 2, 2014, 7:50 pm

Hey, Joe! Weekend looms. Whatcha up to? Me, I'm reading, doing household stuff, and working. I got a huge tip the other night because I was out delivering groceries in the huge down pour we had. Ha ha ha. I'm a native: rain never stopped me.

104AuntieClio
Oct 3, 2014, 8:09 am

Hullo Joe :-)

105Thebookdiva
Oct 3, 2014, 9:29 am

Hey Joe. Thank goodness it's Friday, I need the weekend.

106jnwelch
Edited: Oct 3, 2014, 10:18 am

ETA: Whoops! >102 Smiler69: Almost missed you, Ilana! Post-cuppa coffee I'm a bit more alert.

I hope it was a good visit with your neurologist. I wish I could wave a magic wand and get rid of those lousy migraines for you.

It was a beautiful day yesterday, and a lovely night of rain. I'm one of those who loves the sound of rain, and I got plenty to enjoy last night - and this morning.

Hope you have a beautiful day today, and a beautiful weekend, too.

>103 maggie1944: Nice! Glad to hear about the big tip in the downpour, Karen. Well-deserved, even if you are a precip-pro.

I'm a wee bit into Ethan Frome, for the AAC, and it's well done so far. I've also got Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library going, after seeing it pop up all over the place. It's a fun one that's set in a futuristic library and makes mention of a lot of other good middle grade/YA books, like The Westing Game.

Glad you're getting time to read; I'll stop by and find out more.

>104 AuntieClio: Hullo Stephanie! Good to see you. I hope things are going reasonably well. What are you reading now?

How about deviled eggs today?

107jnwelch
Oct 3, 2014, 9:36 am

>106 jnwelch: I hear you, Abby! This has been one longsome week. I'm ready for the weekend, too.

108Smiler69
Oct 3, 2014, 11:09 am

Hi Joe, I admit I'd skipped over your two last reviews until yesterday and it was a real treat to catch up. Now I look forward to Cloud Atlas even more than before. Only holding me back is the fact it's a pretty big book.

My neurologist is increasing the preventative medication he started me on three months ago in hopes it'll have a more pronounced effect, and also agreed to continue giving me Fiorinal, which most doctors here don't like to prescribe because people tend to abuse it, but I kept track of how often I used it on my migraine chart and he saw clearly I was very responsible with it, so gave me more for coming months, which is good because guarantees me some days of relief at least (exactly 12 at most, beyond that can CAUSE migraines apparently). AND I've got an appointment to see him in another three months, which is nothing to sneeze at, because I used to only be able to see him every six months, but now he's keeping a closer watch on me.

Love the weekend graphic. So cute. Wishing you a great one Joe! xx

109jnwelch
Oct 3, 2014, 11:31 am

>108 Smiler69: I'm glad it was a treat to catch up on the reviews, Ilana. Cloud Atlas is pretty big, you're right, but he's a skilled and engaging storyteller, so it zips right along.

That sounds like a productive appointment with the neurologist. I've heard about this kind of concern with strong medicine, so kudos to you for being able to handle the Fiorinal in a reasonable way (no surprise). Better to have a doctor who wants to keep a close watch on something like this than someone who's laissez faire about it, seems to me.

Isn't that a fun graphic? I'm a pushover for a pug. If we see one on the street, Madame MBH and the kids (when they're with us) all yell, "Pug!" and rush over to say hello. (Pug owners seem used to this, and remarkably tolerant).

Hope you have a great weekend, too, Ilana!

110magicians_nephew
Oct 3, 2014, 11:40 am

Those devilled eggs look delish!

111AuntieClio
Oct 3, 2014, 11:51 am

>106 jnwelch: I'm doing all right, thanks for asking Joe. I'm reading the last book in John Scalzi's Old Man's War series, The Last Colony.

Those eggs look almost too cute to eat, but I reckon I can get past that.

112jnwelch
Oct 3, 2014, 12:19 pm

>110 magicians_nephew: Don't they, Jim? I'd like to find my way to a plate of them in the near future.

>111 AuntieClio: Ah, yes, I read the Scalzi Old Man's War series and liked it - especially the first one. Good series to be caught up in.

Ha! I know, I had the same thought. Sometimes it's hard to disrupt beautifully presented food by actually eating it, but the reward is worth it.

113cameling
Oct 3, 2014, 12:21 pm

i LOVE deviled eggs .. but can't be bothered to make them. Now I want some. Grrrr

114LauraBrook
Oct 3, 2014, 2:20 pm

Happy almost-weekend to you, Joe! Hope you have some excellent books (aside from your MBH, of course) to keep you company!

You like pugs, you say? I found this very cute blog called Bah Humpug, and I may have spent more than a few minutes there. :)

115jnwelch
Edited: Oct 3, 2014, 4:10 pm

>113 cameling: Me, too, Caro! Nice to have you back in our part of the world.

You have some phenomenal food going on over on your thread. I wanted to climb through the screen.

>114 LauraBrook: Ha! Love it, Laura!

I've passed on the Bah Humpug link http://www.bahhumpug.com/ to my Pittsburgh sister who has had a series of pugs, and just added wee Roxy. That blog is full of charming illustrations. I bookmarked it meself for when I could use a grin.

116laytonwoman3rd
Oct 3, 2014, 3:54 pm

>107 jnwelch: Perhaps Violet needs to meet this little guy so she can understand the concept.

117avatiakh
Oct 3, 2014, 3:58 pm

>87 jnwelch: Hi Joe, I'm getting caught up once again. I'll recommend Paulsen's Eastern Sun, Winter Moon: An Autobiographical Odyssey which covers three of his childhood years during WW2.

118jnwelch
Edited: Oct 3, 2014, 4:32 pm

>116 laytonwoman3rd: Ha! Oh, that Maggie Smith. Thanks for a Friday afternoon laugh, Linda.

>117 avatiakh: Thanks, Kerry. I can't remember having this author experience before, where he was originally unknown to me, and people have so many different favorites of what he's written. It says a lot about the reading pleasure he's given folks over the years. I may have to give Gary Paulsen his own tbr shelf.

119seasonsoflove
Oct 3, 2014, 9:05 pm

PUGS!

120ronincats
Oct 3, 2014, 9:59 pm

Hey, Joe, I couldn't help but think of our Chicago guys when I ran across this:

51 Reasons Living In Chicago Ruins You For Life
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jenniferschaffer/home-sweet-chicago#2rtffp4

121benitastrnad
Oct 3, 2014, 10:47 pm

I now know what you and MBH were talking about with the pain medication. I got some kind of pain killer from the dentist, took it that night so that I could sleep and woke up the next morning with a headache the size of Milwaukee. To top it off, I was fuzzy headed and dizzy. One morning of that was all it took. No more of that medicine. I said an old fashioned hangover a was better than that. At least water and aspirin cures that, but this chemical induced hangover hung on for most of the day. I took Ibuprofen the next night and left the other stuff in the bottle. Three days of antibiotics and I am feeling much better. I am so glad that humankind discovered antibiotics. How did people stand a toothache a thousand years ago?

122maggie1944
Oct 3, 2014, 10:49 pm

They died of them. Teeth are perilously close to the brain.

I, too, am glad for modern medicine, with all its drawbacks.

123Ameise1
Oct 4, 2014, 6:34 am

Joe, I wish you a gorgeous weekend.

124jnwelch
Oct 4, 2014, 10:32 am

>119 seasonsoflove: PUGS! Wherever the call of "PUGS!" goes up, the Welches are smiling. Or the call of "SHERLOCK!" - that'll do it, too, don't you think, Becca?

>120 ronincats: Nice, Roni, thanks. #40 resonates here - Chicago is a book lover's paradise. We love this place. That ocean of a lake is so important.

>121 benitastrnad: Oh my, that chemically-induced headache sounds terrible, Benita. It's bad enough when Mother Nature causes it. Glad you were able to eventually get yourself out of it with water and aspirin.

Yeah, the pain from toothaches must have been excruciating a thousand years ago. I imagine a lot of folks died from tooth-related infections.

I was just reading in Leonardo and the Last Supper that the average age in the late 1400s, early 1500s was 40. Lots of ways to die off early back then. Leonardo lived to the extraordinary age of 67, enabling him to create some of the lasting art we appreciate so much today. 67 is starting to seem young now, isn't it?

Our niece Amy Landecker is in the tv show Transparent which is getting lots of write-ups. She's 45 and looks way younger. Very unlikely not that long ago. There are a lot of reasons we're lucky to be around now, even though collectively we still can't shake a lot of the stupidity.

>122 maggie1944: Yeah, exactly, Karen. They died from tooth infections. Without modern medicine, I figure I'd be a looney tune from the hip pain (miserable and impossible to ignore) before they both got replaced, and probably would be gone by now from skin cancer, if nothing else cropped up. Madame MBH would be so ticked at me.

>123 Ameise1: Beautiful, Barbara, thanks. Hmm, what's across that bridge? Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too.

125jnwelch
Edited: Oct 4, 2014, 10:43 am

It's a chilly, rainy day here. Good time to hang out in a book cafe.

126Ameise1
Oct 4, 2014, 11:08 am

>125 jnwelch: Oh what a lovely spot. The book I already have but a nice latte macchiato would be very welcomed.

127Smiler69
Oct 4, 2014, 11:10 am

Chilly and rainy here too Joe. I like to keep my walks with Coco as brief as possible in these conditions, and Coco rarely protests. I have a deadline to pick up a book at the library today, which is a great walk usually, but not in rainy weather, so I might call them up and beg them to keep it an extra day for me (it's an ILL). Wish me luck! What a great book café! Do you happen to know where that is?

128jnwelch
Oct 4, 2014, 11:42 am

>126 Ameise1: Doesn't that look great, Barbara? Settle in with your book, and here's your latte macchiato:



>127 Smiler69: I'll bet brief is what Coco wants in weather like this, Ilana. Sherlock at times will just go back into his homey crate when the weather's lousy and the leash is waiting. Good luck with your library book!

Isn't that a great book cafe? I don't know where it is - it turns up on pinterest and interior design websites, but I can't tell where it's physically located.

An alternate universe? I was just watching some of Morgan Freeman's Through the Wormhole, and they were talking about space and time - with speculation that not only are there alternate universes in space, but at least one alternate dimension in time. Huh? Very hard to imagine, but it would explain why we can't fix subatomic particles in space, because they're actually traveling across a different dimension in time, too. Huh? But I digress. Musings in a book cafe on a rainy, chilly afternoon.

129maggie1944
Edited: Oct 4, 2014, 12:01 pm

That is exactly what book cafes do so well: provide the platform for coffee and conversations, and havens inside when the outside is chilly and rainy.

I listened to a Books On The Nighstand podcast yesterday and was stimulated to buy Shot In The Heart (for my Kindle) by Mikal Gilmore, Gary Gilmore's younger brother. I did not know that the Gilmore family is another case of Mormonism gone wrong, horribly. I don't know much about Mormons but have read a couple of books about the violence of its early days. Fascinating that this younger brother was able to remove himself from his family history and traditions, and live to examine the whole deal, and share it with us.

I also bought The Alienist as a result of the podcast, and The Thirteenth Tale as a result of Audio.com advertising the best multiple reader audio books. Then, just because I could not stop myself I bought a copy of The Wind in the Willows with some delightful artwork, and another book about the artists who illustrated that lovely children's book.

Books!

130Ameise1
Oct 4, 2014, 11:56 am

Thanks a lot. Ubsolutely perfect. :-)

131jnwelch
Edited: Oct 4, 2014, 12:14 pm

>129 maggie1944: Ain't that the truth, Karen? One of the reasons I love cafes so much. Good for reading and writing, too. Our favorite in your city was Black Coffee on Pine Street in the Capitol Hill area, but I see they're moving.

In London, the pub fills more of that role. We went to the Crown pub in Islington a good bit to hang out and talk, read, write.

ETA: Oops, just saw your reading news. Madame MBH, seasonsoflove and yours truly all liked The Alienist. Those two liked The Thirteenth Tale, too, which I haven't read. Becca would probably be interested in Shot in the Heart, with her true crime inclinations.

Which delightful artist created the delightful artwork for your Wind in the Willows? What's the title of the book about WITW artists? I'm a pushover for WITW illustrators.

>130 Ameise1: Ah, excellent, Barbara. It's a talented staff here, isn't it?

OK, I'm going to venture out into that chilly, rainy stuff and head home. I'll be back later on.

132maggie1944
Oct 4, 2014, 12:29 pm

Joe, as there is lots to learn about the illustrators I bought The Illustrators of The Wind in the Willows 1908-2008 by Carolyn Hares-Stryker. Its focus is on English illustrators.

The old book I own is illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard, and then I bought the Candlewick Illustrated Classic version which is illustrated by Inga Moore.

There is a huge world out there: collecting..... of course, it will become to rich for my blood in no time as it is such a beloved book, and has been so well illustrated in these last 100+ years.

133seasonsoflove
Oct 4, 2014, 1:26 pm

The call of Sherlock definitely works too :) He is currently asleep next to me, shocker I know ;)

134maggie1944
Edited: Oct 4, 2014, 1:30 pm

When I hear "Pug", I want to respond with "Schnauzer". (-:

ETA: yes, Greta Garbo is asleep next to me on the sofa.

135cameling
Oct 4, 2014, 2:02 pm

What's good in the cafe for someone who's just spent an hour doing yardwork, Joe?

136jnwelch
Edited: Oct 4, 2014, 5:50 pm

>135 cameling: We've got pugs, a miniature poodle and a schnauzer, Caro. They sleep a lot, but they're good companions for reading or watching movies. Or we've got food and drink. What dish would you pick from your recent bonanza of delectables?

>132 maggie1944: I'm a fan of the Inga Moore illustrations, Karen. I didn't realize I knew the Ernest H. Shepard ones, but his must be what I knew as a yute (in Fred Gwynn's movie world).

Note to self: find that Carolyn Hares-Stryker book. What a great idea to do a study of all the WITW illustrators.

Most of my collecting is virtual, but that ain't all bad - it takes up a lot less space. And that leaves room for more Jane Austen merchandise and literary action figures and bobbleheads.

>133 seasonsoflove: What book is Sherlock sleeping on, Becca? I know his favorite is whatever you happen to be reading at the time.

>134 maggie1944: It's kind of like the game Marco Polo, Karen. I'm going to try to start a new neighborhood game where we shout out breeds of dogs. Of course, one neighbor couple has a shit(zu) poo(dle) mix, and they're leery of shouting that one out. (Didn't make that up).

Maybe names are better. We've got an "Augie" pug nearby, Sherlock the sleuth, and Greta Garbo the glamorous schnauzer. We can build on that.

137seasonsoflove
Oct 4, 2014, 7:15 pm

Sherlock actually chose to sleep on his dragon, Clyde, rather than on my book, a very rare occurrence. Now he's sleeping smushed against the back of the couch.

138jnwelch
Oct 4, 2014, 7:21 pm

>137 seasonsoflove: It's got to be exhausting to be charming and a mastermind, Becca. Kudos to you; not many dogs get their own dragon to sleep on.

139sweetiegherkin
Oct 4, 2014, 9:33 pm

> 99, 101 I'm going against the grain here and noting that I didn't like Native Son (back when I read it many moons ago as a teen). I did, however, LOVE Wright's autobiography Black Boy and highly recommend it if you haven't read it already.

140AuntieClio
Oct 4, 2014, 11:50 pm

Unfortunately, I do not have a dog or a dog's name to throw into the mix. I wish I could play though.

141fuzzi
Oct 5, 2014, 7:12 am

>99 msf59: !!!!!!

I've a recommendation: A Night to Remember by Walter Lord. This is about the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, as told through recollections and interviews of those who survived this disaster.

It's not a book that has been unnecessarily filled and padded, but is streamlined, concise, succinct, and riveting (no pun intended). I did not want to put it down.

One of my best reads of the year.

142mckait
Oct 5, 2014, 7:40 am

Our niece Amy Landecker is in the tv show Transparent Wow, that's pretty cool. You clearly have a very intelligent and gifted family!

I liked The Thirteenth Tale... That seemed to be one of those love it or hate it books. I mentioned to Caroline that I am reading too many books that I am NOT dying to read. It's my own fault, tearing into vine freebies and doing reviews for the library. Bah! I wantto reread The Sparrow. And maybe Doc, since Epitaph is out soon.

Wishing you and yours the best....

143maggie1944
Edited: Oct 5, 2014, 8:17 am

Wasn't "A Night to Remember" also a wonderful movie made ..... ah, let's see..... a long time ago? I must go google that.

Yup: 1958, made in UK, considered notable for its accuracy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Night_to_Remember_(1958_film)

Now I want to see it again.

I am whipping through Shot In The Heart - Gary Gilmore's brother has done a remarkable job of documenting his own detective story of his family. Fascinating.

144Whisper1
Oct 5, 2014, 8:27 am

Happy Sunday Joe. I've been MIA, but my LT buddies remain very much in my thoughts and heart.

145fuzzi
Edited: Oct 5, 2014, 8:42 am

>131 jnwelch: not sure if you've seen this thread, yet: http://www.librarything.com/topic/159157 :)

>143 maggie1944: I've not seen that one. I'll see if we can find it on Netflix. Thanks!

146jnwelch
Oct 5, 2014, 9:59 am

>139 sweetiegherkin: Good to see you, JJ! You might want to read the Baldwin essay on Native Son sometime and see whether what he spotted is what you didn't like. I'll take a gander at Black Boy, thanks.

>140 AuntieClio: You can, you can, Stephanie. Madame MBH and I don't have a dog either. We just have a jar of dog treats on the porch and entertain visitors.

Gots to go on our walk. Back later.

147jnwelch
Oct 5, 2014, 12:01 pm

Hoping to squeeze in a couple of hellos before we talk off for the Ravenswood Art Walk (local galleries).

>141 fuzzi: Nice one, fuzzi. Our pal Mark is off in the wilds of Michigan, but the rest of us can benefit from your recommendation, too.

>142 mckait: Hiya, Kath. Amy's a sweetheart. We're so happy for her - she's been working her butt off in that difficult industry for a lot of years, and this looks like a big break for her. She's been getting good write-ups all over the place.

Oh, yes, Sparrow is a high quality read, and by all accounts Doc is, too. I've been through reading stages like you describe - to me it always feels like too much junk food without anything really topnotch. The Mary Doria Russells will help with that, I'm sure.

We're doing well, thanks. Madame MBH spent all day at the synagogue yesterday for Yom Kippur, while yours truly went to work in the a.m., then worked out and got through the rest of the Cosmos tv series. (I went to Kol Nidre with her Friday night). Now I'm wanting to try that Morgan Freeman Through the Wormhole series.

Besides Ethan Frome, I'm reading Where She Went, the follow-up to If I Stay, and so far it's keeping up the quality of the first one.

Hope you're having a good weekend, too!

>143 maggie1944: That does sound like a good movie, Karen. I'm making note of your enjoyment of the Gary Gilmore's brother's book for our daughter, who loves that kind of book. Her grandma (my mom) used to, too, before she went on to the big library in the sky.

>144 Whisper1: Good to see you, Linda! No worries. I'm glad things have gone reasonably well recently. You're in our thoughts and hearts, too.

>145 fuzzi: Thanks, fuzzi. Yes, someone invited me to join the Tattered But Lovely group, and I've had a good time there, including enjoying that thread on illustrators of Wind in the Willows.

148cameling
Oct 5, 2014, 12:15 pm

Joe - I just watched Ep 4 of Young Montalbano last night and I'm looking foward to young Fazio joining the team in the next episode. I do wish this Livia was in the regular Montalbano series. She's really much better looking and smiles a lot more. But then, maybe that's because they haven't started fighting as much yet. haha...

Full Irish breakfast is on the books for brunch today after a lovely albeit short run in the woods.

149benitastrnad
Oct 5, 2014, 2:39 pm

It is too late for brunch, so I was thinking that I would order a blueberry muffin and a nice cup of coffee from the cafe. Do you have those?

Weather here as finally cooled off. However, we still don't have any rain and we need that.

150jnwelch
Edited: Oct 5, 2014, 5:25 pm

>148 cameling: I'm with you, Caro; I like young Livia so much better! When I saw her, I thought, oh that's why they're together. Hard to figure with the older one.



>149 benitastrnad: Glad the weather cooled off for you, Benita. Yes, we have those delicious post-brunchers.

151msf59
Oct 5, 2014, 8:51 pm

Happy Sunday, Joe! I returned from Michigan, just in time to finish that horrid Bears game. WTH, my friend! Is this just a bad team or what?

Hope you had a fine weekend.

152LovingLit
Oct 5, 2014, 10:17 pm

>40 jnwelch: what a lovely trip down memory lane for your Cloud Atlas review! I remember it so much more now from reading it. Thanks.

Oh, and loving the food pics here too, as usual *drool*, particularly the eggs for some reason .

153jnwelch
Oct 6, 2014, 9:15 am

>151 msf59: Hi, Mark - welcome back! I was just over at your spiffy new thread. The Bears have the personnel to be better than this - they seem to be reverse-opportunist, screwing themselves up just enough to lose.

It was a fine weekend, thanks. Yesterday we found a couple of cool framed photographs at the Ravenswood Art Walk, one of a colorful street in Cuba (Calle Obispo) and another of a spirited elderly Peruvian woman. Visited with seasonsoflove and the wily Sherlock, too.

Sounds like you had a good time in Michigan despite crapola weather.

>152 LovingLit: Thanks, Megan! I'm glad the review brought back fond memories of Cloud Atlas.

I'm a pushover for egg dishes, too. Yesterday at the art walk Madame MBH and I split a tasty egg sandwich from the Eastman Egg Company, with egmont cheese, bell pepper and spinach on a 7-grain roll, and cheese and potato pierogis. Mmm.

154maggie1944
Oct 6, 2014, 9:34 am

mmmm potato pierogis.

Good Monday morning, Joe. I hope your week will be a great one!

155jnwelch
Oct 6, 2014, 9:46 am

>154 maggie1944: These were really good pierogis, Karen. The owners got financed through Kickstarter, and they seem to be doing well.

We miss our Polish diner here in Chicago, the Busy Bee, which was under the Blue Line el track at Milwaukee and North. Wonderful pierogis and other food (including the best rice pudding we've ever had), but after more than 50 years of operation the youngest generation didn't want to keep it going. Too bad.

Hope you have a great week, too! So far mine at least has had some good coffee - Peet's Brazil Minas Naturais.

156maggie1944
Oct 6, 2014, 9:52 am

I'm enjoying a good cup of coffee, and a relaxed morning as the kids' dad has today "off". I work later this afternoon but am happily enjoying a quiet, empty house, and some hours free to do LT and probably some reading. The book about Gary Gilmore definitely has me by the scruff of my neck propelling me along. A long shift with Instacart, having no "batches" to shop, was a big help in progress through the book.

I'm focusing my efforts on my Kindle so I will be well and ready to take it, and only it, with me to Hawaii. One month away......

157benitastrnad
Oct 6, 2014, 10:28 am

I finished reading Colorless Tsukuru by Murakami over the weekend, and you were right. It is much more like Norwegian Wood than it is any of the others. This book seemed very common coming from him when I keep hoping for the fantastic. I guess that is what comes from reading Kafka on the Shore and Wind-Up Bird Chronicle along with all that fantastical short fiction he has written. 1Q84 seemed to me to be more of a combination of the Norwegian Wood and the magical realism, but it was really something to read. Early next year I want to read Blind Willow or South of the Border. Both books I have sitting on my shelves waiting for me.

158jnwelch
Oct 6, 2014, 12:07 pm

>156 maggie1944: Ah, a relaxed morning and some open time in a quiet, empty house sounds like a wonderful gift, Karen. Makes sense to only take your Kindle to Hawaii. Madame MBH and I limited our tree books on the trip to London, knowing we were going to buy ones there. I still took Cloud Atlas in hard copy; it was one of those I instinctively wanted to read that way and not on Kindle.

Right now I seem to use the Kindle most for mysteries, YAs and doorstopper non-fiction.

>157 benitastrnad: Good to have someone commenting who's as steeped in Murakami as you are, Benita. I kept hoping for more of the fantastic in Colorless Tsukuru, too, but it was still awfully good.

I liked both Blind Willow and South of the Border. The former would come behind After the Quake and The Elephant Vanishes for me, as far as short story collections. The latter also doesn't feature the fantastic, so you'll get more of a romance-type novel, but it's very well done.

159ffortsa
Oct 6, 2014, 7:41 pm

>158 jnwelch: i think the structure of Cloud Atlas is much more suited to physical rather than electronic form, and the book is certainly worth the shelf space!

160PaulCranswick
Oct 6, 2014, 10:06 pm

I have a decent collection of Murakami writings but have still only finished Norwegian Wood (which I liked but was not absolutely blown away). Will possibly read something of his at the end of the year if I get my main challenges done. Best of the best anyone?

161drachenbraut23
Oct 7, 2014, 6:16 am

>160 PaulCranswick: My fave is Kafka on the Shore - However, I would recommend reading A Penal Colony by Franz Kafka beforehand as there are several references to be found throughout the book. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is another one, also I have to say that I loved each single book of his, which I read so far.

I have got on deck by him Norwegian Wood, South of the Border, West of the Sun and his newest Colorless Tsukuru

Joe, I finished The Golem and Der Golem by Gustav Meyrink and they compare well in both languages. Considering that this has been written during 1913 and 1914 - Well, it's just fantastic story telling and I am sure you would enjoy this book. I am still trying to get my wits together to compose a small review. As mentioned afore, although compared to Kafka and E.T.A. Hoffman he also reminded me with his magical realism a bit of Murakami. LOL - my land lady who owns an art degree in English literature felt very surprised by my comparison of these two. Well, there you can see how perception differs from person to person :)

162jnwelch
Edited: Oct 7, 2014, 9:21 am

>159 ffortsa: Yes, you're right on both counts, Judy. Now that you say that, I know I thought Cloud Atlas might be one where I needed to flip back through the pages to make connections, and I also knew I'd likely want to keep it on the shelf. Those probably both underlay the choice of physical over electronic. Good thoughts.

>160 PaulCranswick: Others may have their own Murakami suggestions, Paul. After the Quake was where I started with him, and the one I usually recommend.

His best, for me, are Kafka on the Shoreand The Windup Bird Chronicle. But I love them all. One I wish more people read is Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. A Wild Sheep Chase, too. And he picked up a lot of fans with 1Q84.

>161 drachenbraut23: Kafka on the Shore is my fave, too, Bianca. I hadn't made the connection with The Penal Colony; now I have to mull that for a while. When you have a minute, maybe you could pm me the connections you see, or put them in a spoiler bracket? The Windup Bird Chronicle also is my other fave. Given what you've read and liked, you might try Sputnik Sweetheart some time. Sort of in between the romantic and the strange.

You've convinced me on The Golem, although I may wait a lifetime or so to read the German version. Hmm, I've read some E.T.A. Hoffmanand remember it fondly, and it reminded you a bit of Murakami, too? OK, you got me.

Right now I'm reading Ethan Frome, and, after finishing Where She Went, the well done follow-up to If I Stay, I'm in the middle of Skylark, the follow-up to Sarah Plain and Tall.

163msf59
Oct 7, 2014, 12:47 pm

Hi, Joe! I did finish Seconds. I liked it but did not love it. It became a bit bloated and I started to lose interest. I loved the premise and much of the artwork.
I started a dark little GNS called Moving Pictures, which is nice companion piece to The Monuments Men.

Love all the Murakami chatter. I plan on starting the new one, in a week or so.

164maggie1944
Oct 7, 2014, 1:18 pm

Joe, please pass along to your daughter that she should not miss reading Shot in the Heart. I finished it this morning sitting in the car, in a dark parking lot, before I went to help my niece's kids go to school. I could hardly put it down in the last few days. Mikal Gilmore tells his family's and his brother's story because he had to try to understand how it influenced his life. His book is a courageous personal testimony and is well worth spending time and money to read it.

165jnwelch
Oct 7, 2014, 1:24 pm

>163 msf59: Yup, that was my reaction to Seconds, too, Mark. Liked it, didn't love it, a bit bloated, and lost interest a bit. But it had the good points you mention. It also wasn't as chockfull of snarky humor as Scott Pilgrim, which I missed.

Hmm, a GN that's a nice companion to Monuments Men? That's intriguing.

Yes, I look forward to following along on the group read of Colorless Tsukuru.

>164 maggie1944: Our #1 daughter said she took note of Shot in the Dark when we started discussing it here, Karen. She'll be glad to hear you had such a positive reaction to it when you finished. I am, too. "Could hardly put it down" is high praise.

166jnwelch
Oct 7, 2014, 1:35 pm

Cobblers came up on another thread, and reminded me we had delicious apple crumbles with lashings of custard in the Crypt Cafe (!) at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church whilst vacationing. I keep reminding myself to post some here, so here we go:

167Ameise1
Oct 7, 2014, 4:41 pm

Hi Joe, I hope everything is fine at your part of the world. Waves from good old Europe.

168jnwelch
Oct 7, 2014, 4:44 pm

>167 Ameise1: Hi, Barbara! All is well here. Nice to get waves from good old Europe. I miss it. I hope all is going well for you.

169cameling
Oct 7, 2014, 4:57 pm

Mmmm... I love cobblers, especially with custard. None over here, but I do have ..... a bag of Pickle flavored Doritos. :-)

170Ameise1
Oct 7, 2014, 5:23 pm

>168 jnwelch: Joe, my hubster and I are at our favourite wellness hotel in the Black Forest and are enjoying a very relaxed time. Hop over to my thread and you'll see the gorgeous food we have. :-)

171jnwelch
Oct 7, 2014, 5:39 pm

>169 cameling: LOL! Pickle flavored Doritos actually sound good to me, Caro. I love pickles, and I love Doritos. Not that I can afford to get too many of the latter near me.

Cobblers with "lashings of custard" - mmm.

>170 Ameise1: That sounds great, Barbara! Good for you. I will stop by.

172maggie1944
Edited: Oct 7, 2014, 6:08 pm

Ok I am off to the bakery

I am on a shift and hanging out at Whole Foods in Bellevue .

Dangerous!

Result = mini pumpkin bundt cake with cream cheese frosting! Lucky me to have a job like this.

173benitastrnad
Oct 7, 2014, 6:30 pm

I think that Murakami must be a lover of Russian writers. (I know Kafka was Czech.) Was it Windup Bird Chronicle or 1Q84 that references the trip that Chekov took to Sakhalin Island? Does he reference any other Russian writers in his other novels?

174drachenbraut23
Oct 7, 2014, 6:38 pm

>173 benitastrnad: It was in 1Q84 :) . Yes Kafka was Czech, but he was born into a German speaking Jewish family, that's why all of his works were written in German, unfortunately he is one of those authors which are very difficult to translate.

175roundballnz
Edited: Oct 8, 2014, 1:19 am

>160 PaulCranswick: >161 drachenbraut23: >162 jnwelch:

Think I own most of Murakami 's published writings - obvious one missing is pinball which was early in his career

Joe & I have similar thoughts/favourites here so : Kafka on the Shore and The Windup Bird Chronicle, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World I started withThe Windup Bird Chronicle not a route for the faint-hearted :)

see Golem is getting a bit of buzz currently might have to add on my wish TBR as to my owned TBR ....

176scaifea
Oct 8, 2014, 6:27 am

The only Murakami I've read is Kafka on the Shore but I loved it so much. I really need to get round to more of his stuff soon!

177jnwelch
Oct 8, 2014, 9:33 am

>172 maggie1944: mini pumpkin bundt cake with cream cheese frosting Oh my, that does sounds good, Karen. Reading and baked goods - you have found a most excellent job.

Of course, we can't resist serving up some of that cake here:



>173 benitastrnad: Glad Bianca in >174 drachenbraut23: could help you with your question, Benita. You may well be right about Murakami's being a lover of Russian writers, although I don't remember any other references like that.

>174 drachenbraut23: Thanks, Bianca. I can believe Kafka's work is difficult to translate. I've read two different translations of Kafka's Castle and Amerika, and liked the re-read and the somewhat different angles. I particularly liked the Mark Harman translation of The Castle, probably my favorite Kafka novel. There's a good interview here with the author of a newish book, Kafka Translated: http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/retranslating-kafka#.VDU5b7FntlN.

>175 roundballnz: They're reportedly bringing new English translations of Murakami's first two out here next fall, Alex: Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball. I haven't read either of them. He supposedly was reluctant at one point to have them available here because he didn't think they're very good. We'll see.

Good to see you like Hard-Boiled Wonderland, too. I hope more people find their way to that one.

If you read the interview linked in >174 drachenbraut23:, you'll see that Golem gets mentioned there, too!

>176 scaifea: If you loved Kafka on the Shore, Amber, there's lots of good Murakami reading out there for you. As I've probably mentioned before, after reading After the Quake, I went on a months-long Murakami binge, reading nothing but his books. Reality was a bit on tilt for me during that time. :-)

178Ameise1
Oct 8, 2014, 11:08 am

Yummmie! It looks delicious.

179laytonwoman3rd
Edited: Oct 8, 2014, 1:33 pm

Much too much pain in this group lately....now it's Morphy who needs us. Please pop over and leave a bit of support

180jnwelch
Edited: Oct 8, 2014, 3:37 pm

>178 Ameise1: Doesn't it, Barbara? Love Fall.

>179 laytonwoman3rd: Oof. Thanks, Linda. I second that emotion. Poor Morphy and Mr. Morphy.

ETA: I'll post the link to Morphy's thread again for our skim-readers: http://www.librarything.com/topic/179621#4874784

181drachenbraut23
Oct 8, 2014, 3:23 pm

>177 jnwelch: Thank you for the link, I will check that out. The thing about Kafka's writing in German is that he used this super, mega, long sentences (another author who used to do that was Heinrich Böll) so in the German versions you may have got a whole page which is ONE sentence. This is something which is generally not used in the English language, which appears to be the difficulty in translating him appropriately. Although, just thinking about authors, Jose Saramago sometimes uses this really long sentence structure as well.
Here another fan of Hard-Boiled Wonderland this was my first ever Murakami and that's how I got hooked.

182jnwelch
Edited: Oct 8, 2014, 3:37 pm

You'll see in the interview, Bianca, the belief that Kafka also used plain, unadorned German, causing translators to have to resist the temptation to jazz it up to help get across the atmosphere he creates.

More love for Hard-Boiled Wonderland! Great to hear. What an unusual one to start with - it would have hooked me, too.

183Crazymamie
Oct 9, 2014, 9:39 am

Look at me, finally making my way back to the cafe! Oh, how I have missed this place! Lovely reviews, as always - I added the Kawakami to my LIST.

184jnwelch
Oct 9, 2014, 9:45 am

>183 Crazymamie: Good to see you back, Mamie! We've missed you, too.

I'm glad the hand troubles let up on you. Great news that you've added the Kawakami to your list. It's one of those special books that can use our help getting to more readers, methinks.

Loved that cake over on your thread. There's nothing wrong with cake for breakfast, is there?

185Crazymamie
Oct 9, 2014, 9:50 am

Funny you should mention eating cake for breakfast - guess what I am enjoying with my morning coffee right now?!

186jnwelch
Oct 9, 2014, 9:52 am

>185 Crazymamie: Ha! I'll bet it's good, too. Madame MBH always has a slice of her birthday cake for breakfast the day after. Is Birdy joining you, or is she still in teenage slumber?

187jnwelch
Oct 9, 2014, 9:56 am

Most of you have probably heard about Mr. Morphy. Here's the link if you feel like helping out, which is also over on Morphy's thread: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/ken-lundquist-s-mrmorphy-s-medical-b....

188Crazymamie
Oct 9, 2014, 9:58 am

Birdy is our early riser, so she beat me to the cake - she actually brought a piece to me! I think it is even better straight from the fridge!

189jnwelch
Oct 9, 2014, 10:01 am

>188 Crazymamie: Oh, how great, Mamie. Straight from the fridge (I agree - the coolness makes it even better), and brought to you. Way to go, Birdy!

190jnwelch
Edited: Oct 9, 2014, 10:45 am

Have I mentioned what I've been reading?



Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein is a fun middle grade book, with puzzles that made me think of The Westing Game. Teen Kyle Keeley is a game player, and not really a reader. But a fantastic new public library in his town created by game designer Mr. Lemoncello sounds so great he successfully enters a competition to stay in it overnight with several other kids before it opens. The challenge, with a prize, is to find a hidden way back out by following literary clues. References to old favorite books like The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler are sprinkled throughout, some overtly and some concealed in various ways, and they are listed at the end. Kyle ends up wanting to read many of them.



If you liked If I Stay by Gayle Forman, you'll want to read what happened after it, in Where She Went. Mia got her Juilliard scholarship, and went to NYC, where her gifted cello playing results in early graduation and beginning to play concerts. But she stops communicating with Adam, which knocks him for a loop. Adam turns that pain into a killer album that makes him and his band internationally famous. Then, in NYC, he decides on the spur of the moment to attend Mia's concert . . . Given the life/death premise of If I Stay, I was skeptical about a follow-up, but this one is very well done, and satisfying to read.



Hard to believe Ethan Frome was written by the same author as Age of Innocence. This 1911 novel is set in the New England town of Starkfield. Farmer Ethan is the physically twisted survivor of a mysterious "smash-up" many years prior, and through the narration of a man who comes to know him, we find out what happened. Ethan has a difficult, hypochondriac wife, and unfulfilled dreams of becoming an engineer. Poverty dogs their life. When a young girl relative is sent to help around their house, Ethan feels romantic stirrings and reminders of what his life might have been. The "stark" story and its outcome are haunting. A compelling and sobering read.



If you liked Sarah, Plain and Tall, you'll like Skylark. The Witting's prairie farm is experiencing a terrible drought, which tests Sarah's resolve as she thinks of her family in lush, green Maine where she grew up. Eventually Papa sends her and the two children, Anna and Caleb, to her Maine family for relief while he labors to save the farm. The four's strong love for one another threads throughout this spare, evocative book, a worthy sequel to the first. I'll be reading the next one, Caleb's Story. MacLachlan's ability to convey so much with so few words is impressive.

191Smiler69
Oct 9, 2014, 11:37 am

Ha! Your review format of Where She Went made me smile. Sometimes I wonder how I can possibly review 'next in series' books without revealing a bunch of spoilers... and I see the spoiler function was made just for that sort of situation.

When I read Ethan Frome in 2011, I think I'd only read Wharton's The House of Mirth and Summer at that point, but I instinctively knew this book was very different from the ensemble of her work. I'm still far from being able to say I've read "the ensemble of her work", but have read The Age of Innocence, a couple of her shorter novels, and a collection of short stories, The New York Stories (definitely recommended), since then, and still see it as an odd entry in her bibliography, really uncharacteristic of her work. One of my life missions is to read everything she's ever written, hopefully more than once and then maybe I'll be able to understand where it came from better. In any case, it's a brilliant piece. Oh so bleak, but brilliant for sure.

Thanks for your visits yesterday, cheered me up tremendously. xx

192fuzzi
Oct 9, 2014, 12:26 pm

>190 jnwelch: so glad you enjoyed Skylark, you should enjoy Caleb's Story as well.

I gave up on My Family and Other Animals, not because it wasn't amusing, but just because I wasn't enjoying it enough to finish. I had a similar experience with Penrod within the past year.

Last night I wanted to reread a passage from an old favorite, Little Vic, and wound up reading the whole book (and staying up past my bedtime too, shh). It's a story of a young man who loves horses, especially one he knows from its birth. It's suitable for all ages, and has some well-written elements about racism that are not contrived, but very well done.

193msf59
Oct 9, 2014, 12:31 pm

Sweet Thursday, Joe! Despite, it being a bit cool, it is very nice out here.
Glad you enjoyed the Wharton. That one cries out a reread for me.

194jnwelch
Oct 9, 2014, 1:21 pm

>191 Smiler69: You're welcome re the visits, Ilana; I'm glad they cheered you up!

Ethan Frome is a brilliant piece of work, isn't it? I saw some lower ratings for it, and I honestly don't know how someone could do that. As you say, bleak, but brilliant. Reading all of hers is a great life mission, for sure, and I'm always impressed with your commitment to re-reading. I talk the talk but too often don't walk the walk - I keep seeing some shiny new one before I get back to the ones I've read and want to re-read.

>192 fuzzi: I sure did enjoy Skylark, fuzzi. What a knack she has with her spare prose. I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm looking forward to her next one.

I have to admit, I've looked at My Family and Other Animals and thought, I'm not feeling enough oomph to get me to read it. I'd probably have an experience like yours. But I know lots of folks love that one.

I know you love books about horses, right? Little Vic looks like a good one; I'll check it out. You'll be glad to hear I've started Paulsen's The Haymeadow on your recommendation. My other one was recommended by Bianca, The Shock of the Fall.

>193 msf59: Sweet Thursday, buddy! Yes, the Wharton was excellent.

I'm going out soon into that very nice day. Hawks season opener tonight - should be a great season. What a crew they have on board.

195magicians_nephew
Oct 9, 2014, 4:00 pm

They made us read Ethan Fromme in High school, I think in part for the if-you-fool-around-youll-get-punished message. Took me a while as an adult to get back to Wharton and enjoy her books.

196fuzzi
Oct 9, 2014, 4:25 pm

>194 jnwelch: I do like books about horses, dogs, animals, how did you guess? ;)

I liked The Haymeadow, very much, hope you do, too.

There was another book by Patricia MacLachlan, Kindred Souls, that I read as part of the Early Reviewer giveaway. After you finish the "Sarah" trilogy, you might enjoy reading this standalone book.

197jnwelch
Edited: Oct 9, 2014, 4:30 pm

>195 magicians_nephew: It would have been tough to read Ethan Frome in high school, Jim. I would have felt punished, too. Ray Bradbury was good at that age, John Steinbeck was good at that age, and I'm sure we could think of others. Edith Wharton and Henry James, for example, seem like a bad fit for that age. Reading them when older is a much better idea.

It might be interesting sometime to think of a list of "not for high school" authors, not in the sense of banned books, but in the sense of ones better appreciated when you've had more of life's mileage. I'm glad I read Jane Austen at a later age, for example. I doubt I would have related half as well at a young age.

ETA: >196 fuzzi: Ha! I thought I had noticed that, fuzzi!

So far, so good on The Haymeadow, although I've just dipped into it.

I'm becoming a MacLachlan fan, so I'll keep the standalone Kindred Souls in mind. I think there are more than three in the "Sarah" series, although I know you can buy the first three as a trilogy. More Perfect than the Moon (Sarah, Plain and Tall Saga) and Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall) are listed, anyway, not that I know anything about them.

198roundballnz
Oct 10, 2014, 12:51 am

I see The doubt factory is out soon if it takes your fancy Joe .......

199odudu
Oct 10, 2014, 2:50 am

This user has been removed as spam.

200jnwelch
Oct 10, 2014, 9:20 am

>198 roundballnz: Cool! Thanks, Alex. I hadn't read about The Doubt Factory coming out. Sure sounds good.

Quite different from his others, too.

201jnwelch
Edited: Oct 10, 2014, 9:29 am

This dream-like train ride grabbed me.



From somewhere in the Ukraine.

202drachenbraut23
Oct 10, 2014, 9:37 am

>201 jnwelch: How beautiful. Imagine walking along there with a little backpack...............trailing off into my own little world of dreams now :)

Finished the Golem and my thought can be found here

Also finished the Crane wife by Patrick Ness, which was kind of good read, but in some ways didn't quite live up to my expectations.

I have seen ELEKTRA yesterday and I and my friends were a bit dissapointed, I will post something later on my thread (yes, I started my own thread again for the last part of the year :).

Almost finsihed The Death of Grass by John Christopher, which is a very good read. Almost finished The Crucible by Arthur Miller again a very good read and I started listening to the unabridged audiobook version of The Bone Clocks I am not very far in yet, but so far so good.

203jnwelch
Edited: Oct 10, 2014, 10:24 am

>202 drachenbraut23: Isn't that beautiful, Bianca? I could walk right into it, too.

I'll go over and read about The Golem. You've already gotten it onto my WL.

Sorry about Elektra, too bad. I'll forward to your further comments later - glad you started up a thread. I have to find and star it!

I don't know The Death of Grass, so I'll take a look at it. I saw a production of The Crucible here, and for some reason I just don't like that story. I know the connections with McCarthyism and so on, but it's just not my cuppa. We had a chance to see another production of it in London and took a pass. The Bone Clocks has been getting mixed reactions, so I'll be interested to hear what you think.

I'm nearing the end of The Shock of the Fall, and it's been quite an experience with Matt and Simon and the others.. Thank you for recommending it.

ETA: Nice review of The Golem, Bianca. further you read on, you find that the boundaries between fantasy, dream and reality become more and more blurred. Each time you turn the page something surreal, threatening and unexpected happens. Well, that sure is my cuppa. As we discussed, the comparisons to Murakami and Kafka don't hurt either.

I forgot to mention the Patirick Ness book you're reading. I thought his Chaos Walking trilogy was pretty good, and I liked his A Monster Calls a lot. I haven't heard anything yet about The Crane Wife, so please let me know what you think when you're done.

204msf59
Oct 10, 2014, 10:27 am

Happy Friday, Joe! I get to join you on this one, since I have a long weekend coming up. Yahoo!
Nice out here. Cool, but plenty of sunshine. I will not complain.
The Shock of the Fall sounds very good.

205ffortsa
Oct 10, 2014, 10:51 am

A lot of deep reading going on here. If anyone needs a funny palate-cleanser, I suggest you stop over on Amazon and pick up their daily deal. The Spellman Files. It brings a smile to my face each time I think about it.

206jnwelch
Oct 10, 2014, 11:04 am

>204 msf59: Happy Friday, Mark! Glad to hear that you get to join in and enjoy a long weekend.

Yeah, pretty nice day out there, hard to complain. I'll be out in it at lunchtime.

The Shock of the Fall has been very good. I'll keep you posted as I finish it.

>205 ffortsa: Totally with you on The Spellman Files, Judy. Madame MBH and I have had a blast with that very funny series. Izzy is a hoot. As a daily deal, what a bargain.

207kidzdoc
Oct 10, 2014, 12:23 pm

>201 jnwelch: Great image!

I'm glad that you're enjoying The Shock of the Fall, which I liked, and Rachael (FlossieT) would also be pleased to know that (we just missed meeting her at the London Review Bookshop last month). She served as one of the judges for the Costa Book Award's First Novel Prize, and this book was her favorite. It not only won the First Novel Prize, it won the overall award as well.

208Ameise1
Oct 10, 2014, 12:39 pm

>201 jnwelch: Wow, what a view! It's so beautiful and peaceful.

209benitastrnad
Oct 10, 2014, 1:30 pm

Since it is Friday and it is still warm down here, I wonder if the cafe has any grilled steaks and potatoes on the menu? It would be a perfect evening for that.

210MDGentleReader
Oct 10, 2014, 1:37 pm

>205 ffortsa: lept! Thank you.

>206 jnwelch: was already on TBR, but you and MBH liking The Spellman Files makes it that much more likely that I will enjoy it. Could really use some funny reading right now.

211jnwelch
Oct 10, 2014, 1:52 pm

>207 kidzdoc: Isn't that a cool image, Darryl?

Oh man, I'm so near the end of The Shock of the Fall, but I have to work. Wait a minute, am I working right now or goofing off on Librarything? I have a sneaking suspicion I'm not working. Good to hear you liked TSOTF, too. I can see why it won the overall Costa Book Award as well as the First Novel Prize.

Sorry we just missed Rachael (FlossieT) last month in London. Next time!

>208 Ameise1: Isn't it, Barbara? And I know you're a connoisseur, with all the great views you've shared with us.

>209 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Happy Friday! I believe we can rustle up some steak and taters. Here goes:



>210 MDGentleReader: Good to see you, MDG! Yes, if you can really use some funny reading, dig into the Spellman Files. The beginning will tell you right away whether it's your kind of humor. It cracked me up.

212maggie1944
Oct 10, 2014, 3:00 pm

Oh, my, I'd like one of those steaks, too, as a celebration of Friday; however, I just had the broken tooth's roots pulled out and the implant implanted. Must be careful what I chew for a just a little bit. So I think I'll eat some choco pudding instead.

After all the good things I've read about Murakami, I just spotted a book on my shelf: Kafka On The Shore. I think I bought it at Elliott Bay Books the last time you and your lovely wife were in Seattle. Cool. So, I think it is one that has been recommended for beginners, and I open it and read a wee bit, and I think I'll jump right on it. I am also reading The Alienist right now on my Kindle.

Good times! One month to wait until I fly to Hawaii. yay!

Have an excellent weekend, Joe!

213jnwelch
Oct 10, 2014, 3:17 pm

>212 maggie1944: Hi, Karen. Getting close to Hawaii time - very happy for you. I know you love that trip.

Kafka on the Shore is terrific. I hope you enjoy it.

We liked The Alienist in our house.

Choco pudding for the new implant coming up. Seems like a pretty good second choice, right?



Hope you have an excellent weekend, too! It's feeling like an oasis in the desert right about now.

214roundballnz
Oct 10, 2014, 4:17 pm

>201 jnwelch: stunning image, looks an excellent location to get away from everything ......

"further you read on, you find that the boundaries between fantasy, dream and reality become more and more blurred. Each time you turn the page something surreal, threatening and unexpected happens"

Okay Now I MUST read the book ......

215drachenbraut23
Oct 10, 2014, 4:22 pm

>214 roundballnz: Alex I am sure this book would be your "cup of strong tea" LOL. Considering that this has been written from 1913 - 1914 as part of a series of short stories it's just brilliant. :)

216jnwelch
Oct 10, 2014, 5:27 pm

>214 roundballnz: You and me both, Alex!

Glad you like that image. It would be great to hike along there, wouldn't it?

>215 drachenbraut23: :-)

217luvamystery65
Oct 10, 2014, 6:05 pm

Howdy Joe. All this food is making me hungry!

218DeltaQueen50
Oct 10, 2014, 6:59 pm

Hi Joe, we are just about to kick off our Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, and I am very thankful for LT and all the great people I've met here. Have yourself a good weekend.

219Smiler69
Edited: Oct 10, 2014, 9:08 pm

I got myself a pumpkin pie yesterday to celebrate our Canadian thanksgiving (which will probably be the extent of my celebrations), though I didn't wait and started indulging as soon as I brought it home, even though Thanksgiving is officially on Monday. I'm also grateful for some wonderful LT friends such as yourself. Have a great weekend!

220cammykitty
Oct 10, 2014, 9:42 pm

I thought I didn't need a real dinner tonight. Now I NEED steak, potatoes and choco pudding. And am too lazy to leave the house. Drat!

I tried reading The Alienist decades ago and got stuck on his writing style. Is it worth another shot?

221thornton37814
Oct 10, 2014, 9:43 pm

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadians!

222maggie1944
Oct 10, 2014, 9:58 pm

Well, I'm 65 pages in (The Alienist) after just a day or so of reading, and feel quite committed to it. I think partially that is true because I've been enjoying reading The Bully Pulpit which is set in the same time frame, and has some real history which gives a good context for The Alienist. I think you might try it once more, cammykitty, if it is not too much of a bother. But it might just not be your cuppa.

223scaifea
Oct 11, 2014, 6:46 am

>201 jnwelch: Wasn't that track (the Tunnel of Love, I think it's called?) in the movie "The Unbearable Lightness of Being"? I could be misremembering.

224Ameise1
Oct 11, 2014, 8:13 am

Joe, I wish you a lovely weekend.

225jnwelch
Oct 11, 2014, 11:05 am

>217 luvamystery65: Hi, Roberta! This will be a quick stop this morning, as we're going to pick up the lovely Becca and her furry sidekick for a visit, but I wanted you to know we have plenty of food if you're hungry.



Have a great weekend!

>218 DeltaQueen50: Good to see you, Judy! We are thankful to know you, for sure - have a great holiday weekend!

226msf59
Oct 11, 2014, 11:43 am

Happy Saturday, Joe! I hope you have a nice weekend planned. I did post the Murakami G.R. thread, so you could pop in, now and then.

On the GN front, I started Tricked. You are a Robinson fan, correct?

227jnwelch
Edited: Oct 12, 2014, 12:28 pm

>219 Smiler69: Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, Ilana! What a pleasure to have met friends like you via LT. I look forward to some day meeting up in poisson, poissonally, as Caterella would say (I'm reading Angelica's Smile this a.m.) Hope you're having great weekend!

>220 cammykitty: Hi, Katie! Good to see you. Sorry I'm such a slow poke on the weekend. We slept late, read in bed, then I read in our sunny room whilst Madame MBH took a long Sunday shower.

As you may have heard, we've got an even fancier time jiggerer than before at the cafe, so we'll get you that dinner through the time-bizarre wormhole.



The Alienist: I'd say yes, it's worth giving another try. It's been a long time for me, but I remember getting quite caught up in it. Maybe those who have read it more recently can chime in on that.

>221 thornton37814: I'll join you on that, Lori - Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends!

228Crazymamie
Oct 12, 2014, 12:47 pm

Stopping in to wish you a lovely Sunday, Joe!

229jnwelch
Edited: Oct 12, 2014, 12:54 pm

>222 maggie1944: Good one, Karen, thanks. There you go, Katie. And I agree with "might not be your cuppa". Nothing wrong with that. I remember it as very atmospheric, and it might not be your atmosphere.

>223 scaifea: It is called the Tunnel of Love, Amber, nice catch. I've seen the movie (and read the book) The Unbearable Lightness of Being, but it's been so darn long I don't remember that scene. What happened in it?

>224 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara, and thank you for the lovely image.

We're having a sweet weekend indeed. Our daughter and her furry sidekick visited yesterday and we all had a fun day together. As mentioned above, we've started out very slowly today and we've enjoyed that thoroughly. I finished The Haymeadow (thanks fuzzi), and what a good YA that was. The Shock of the Fall was really excellent, but I definitely needed something a little upbeat after that one and Ethan Frome. Now I'm enjoying the funny and charming Angelica's Smile, the most recent USA release in the Montalbano series.

>226 msf59: Hey, buddy! Hope you're enjoying this long weekend for you. I have to work tomorrow (days like that I wish we were federal), but it will be a blue jeans day for us, so that helps.

I will come over to the Murakami thread and definitely pop in now and then. This should be good.

Yes, I'm an Alex Robinson fan. I liked Too Cool to Be Forgotten and Box Office Poison. I know nothing about Tricked, so I look forward to hearing your reaction to that one.

You were right (of course) about Alex Ada (actually, Alex + Ada, but the touchstone won't work with that). I really enjoyed that one, and now I'll wait impatiently for the next one. My current GN, which I just started, is Astro City, which got a lot of positive buzz.

ETA: >228 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! I hope your family is on the mend and you're all having a Happy Sunday!

It's nice to have you back spreading your usual good cheer. :-)

230Smiler69
Oct 12, 2014, 1:01 pm

Poissonally in poisson. What a guy that Catarella! Thanks for the good wishes Joe. I'm halfway through my pumpkin pie, trying to make it last. Yum!

Have a great Sunday, Joe.

231benitastrnad
Edited: Oct 12, 2014, 1:21 pm

I hosted a real nice sit down dinner Tuscan style at my house last night. I had 8 people over and the weather was wonderful for an evening outdoor soiree. On the menu was sweet potato hummus, spinach salad with chutney dressing (this was a recipe from Lynn Rossetto Kasper's Splendid Table radio program and it was the star of the evening. Imagine that - a salad to be the star!). The main dish was a meat lovers pizza, pan pizza style, and then Rum cake for desert. All accompanied by a Chianati Classico. We started eating at 5:00 p.m. when the sun was setting and somebody remarked that it was much like eating on a Tuscan hillside. The only difference I could see was that as the evening progressed it got more and more humid instead of cooler as it would have in Tuscany. Nice time was had by all.

232jnwelch
Oct 12, 2014, 1:32 pm

>230 Smiler69: For some reason, I'm not a big pumpkin pie fan, Ilana (my bad). But Madame MBH and our esteemed #1 daughter both love it, so we always have it on our U.S. Thanksgiving in November (with apple pie for yours truly). I'm told the cafe does make a most excellent pumpkin pie, in case you're in the mood for more.



Have a great Sunday, too, Ilana!

>231 benitastrnad: Oh, that sounds wonderful, Benita. Impressive to have the salad as the evening's biggest hit! Someone remarked it was much like eating on a Tuscan hillside. How great is that? Congratulations on such a successful evening.

233Donna828
Oct 12, 2014, 2:00 pm

Hey Joe! So much to comment on here. I just wanted to make my presence known before you start a new thread. I loved your comments on Cloud Atlas. I see a reread in my future but first I must read and review my ER copy of The Bone Clocks. I've been dragging my heels a bit because, from what I've heard around LT, it is no Cloud Atlas! That is a great picture of a book cafe. Wish we had one around here. My favorite restaurant used to be The Library. Good food and atmosphere but, unfortunately, this is a tough little city with lots of food competition and it bit the dust years ago. So sad.

234Ameise1
Oct 12, 2014, 2:02 pm

>229 jnwelch: Joe, it looks like you have a fabulous weekend.

235msf59
Edited: Oct 12, 2014, 2:18 pm

Sounds like you are enjoying your Sunday, Joe! Let's hope the Bears get 'er done today. We need some satisfaction, my friend, after a painful 2 weeks.

I am reading Good Kings, Bad Kings. This is one I picked up and had signed at ALA. I think Debbi read it awhile back. I really like it so far. It is set in Chicago, with some unique perspectives, including the disabled and the homeless.

236jnwelch
Edited: Oct 12, 2014, 2:26 pm

>233 Donna828: Hiya, Donna! You're right, we're getting near time to move to a new thread. As we get to 250 or more, we'll do it.

So glad you liked you loved the Cloud Atlas comments. That's a bit of a tough one to explain, as you well know. I can definitely see re-reading it some time, now that I have a feel for the whole. Yeah, the mixed reactions to The Bone Clocks has given me pause, too. Everyone does seem to find it entertaining, at least. I'm probably going to A Thousand Autumns for my next one of his.

It is so tough for restaurants to make it for a long time in a competitive city. Our favorite here, a Cuban restaurant called Cafe 28, went under recently, with the son owner going into real estate and the mother owner going to work at someone else's restaurant. Such a shame. I understand your missing the good food and atmosphere at The Library. You're probably like us - we were almost ready to offer to pitch in somehow to keep ours open, but they had made up their minds.

>234 Ameise1: 'Tis, Barbara, thanks. We're going to have a bite to eat now, and then motivate ourselves to walk to the Trader Joe's near us to get a bit of this and that.

Hope you're having some fabulous, too!

ETA: >236 jnwelch: Yes, great Sunday, thanks, Mark. Me, too, re the Bears. I've got a Bears fanatic friend who has given up on them, saying at least he doesn't have to carve that part out of Sundays any more. I haven't gotten that discouraged yet. We'll see.

BTW, Derrick Rose looked terrific last night in their pre-season game against Milwaukee - his end-to-end speed is phenomenal. If folks stay healthy, it should be quite a year. Love that Gasol.

Debbi remembers talking to you about Good Kings Bad Kings with you after ALA. That author is Mike Nussbaum's daughter (he's the terrific actor here who just turned 90). Glad it's hitting the spot for you.

237scaifea
Oct 12, 2014, 2:23 pm

>229 jnwelch: You know, I honestly don't remember what happened in the tunnel scene, although I think it was near the big event near the end (I hope that's vague enough - ha!). I've not read the book but want to - the movie was...interesting...

238seasonsoflove
Oct 12, 2014, 2:36 pm



:)

239jnwelch
Oct 12, 2014, 2:53 pm

>237 scaifea: Thanks, Amber. A quick search yielded nada from the movie. Your clue may help. The book is terrific, when you get a chance. It sent me on a bit of a Kundera binge at the time.

>238 seasonsoflove: Thank you, Becca! This is a photo of the wily Sherlock and his Kindle-holding human granddad in our backyard.

240Ameise1
Oct 12, 2014, 3:51 pm

What a lovely pic :-)

241DorsVenabili
Oct 12, 2014, 4:21 pm

Hi Joe!

>190 jnwelch: - Thank you for the Ethan Frome comments. I was thinking of reading The Age of Innocence this month, but due to length, I may try Ethan Frome instead.

>201 jnwelch: - Ooh, lovely! Although it made me think of The Walking Dead. (Sorry)

>238 seasonsoflove: - Look at that adorable dog with his own little chair! Love it!

242msf59
Oct 12, 2014, 4:30 pm

>238 seasonsoflove: Great photo! I think this would make the perfect topper, my friend. Thanks, Becca!

Come on, Bears!!

243jnwelch
Edited: Oct 12, 2014, 5:22 pm

>240 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara. He's a pretty irresistible little guy. :-)

>241 DorsVenabili: Hiya, Kerri! IMO, you can't go wrong with either The Age of Innocence or Ethan Frome, although as I mentioned, they can hardly be more different.

The Walking Dead?!? As a friend, I must say that you need to give some serious consideration to your tv consuming habits. That lovely dream-like vista in >201 jnwelch: shouldn't be giving you thoughts of vivified dead people looking to eat you! Just sayin'.

You should see that adorable dog sitting on his own little velvet throne with his crown on. Noshing on duck treats while the humans scamper about to fulfill his wishes. He's got us all buffaloed, that's for sure.

>242 msf59: Ha! 'Twould, Mark. She's an artist with that phone camera, that Becca. She's off tonight to see the movie you just liked, Gone Girl.

Go Bears!

244msf59
Oct 12, 2014, 5:48 pm

Go Bears! Nice half. That Marshall is amazing.

245jnwelch
Oct 12, 2014, 5:52 pm

>244 msf59: Marshall has really gotten his act together, hasn't he, Mark? I remember when folks worried about his attitude when he came here.

They need to play a good second half - that's been their downfall the last two games.

246maggie1944
Oct 12, 2014, 7:14 pm

Great photograph of black dog. That's the trick: sunlight. Love it.

247jnwelch
Edited: Oct 12, 2014, 7:38 pm

>246 maggie1944:. Yes, young Sherlock disappears in shadows and dark, Karen. That works well when he's chasing crooks, though.

248msf59
Oct 12, 2014, 7:54 pm

Great win, Joe! Offense really stepped up and the defense held it's own too! Great sigh of relief...

249mahsdad
Oct 12, 2014, 8:02 pm

Stopping by to drop a star. Don't know why I wasn't following you before.

Starting reading you with all the Murakami talk. I'm diving into A Wild Sheep Chase for my first. Just starting part 4 (50 pages in) and I have know idea where it's going. Love it.

250jnwelch
Oct 12, 2014, 9:50 pm

>248 msf59: Man, that was nice to see, Mark. That's what they can do. And all three starting linebackers out! Great job out there.

>249 mahsdad: Hey, Jeff! No worries. I've seen you over on friend Mark's thread. Good to have you stop by.

A Wild Sheep Chase! Sheep Man! With any luck, it will make you laugh and hook you on this inventive author.

251roundballnz
Oct 13, 2014, 12:39 am

I have not read any Bone clocks reviews yet, Thing with Mitchell is each book is different, while this one has compared to Cloud atlas by some, it won't be Cloud atlas v 2.0 its not his style ...... expect the unexpected some books will be a roller coaster ride others a slow burner which may hit you weeks later .....

252DorsVenabili
Oct 13, 2014, 7:50 am

>243 jnwelch: - Oh, come on! It's entertaining! :-) I also watch Bar Rescue and Ink Master, so The Walking Dead isn't even the trashiest thing I consume, if you can take that in. Ha!

253seasonsoflove
Oct 13, 2014, 9:29 am

Ink Master! I love that show :)

254jnwelch
Oct 13, 2014, 12:00 pm

>251 roundballnz: I've only read Cloud Atlas, Alex, but I get what you're saying. He's a brilliant writer, IMO. I think it's the structure of The Bone Clocks that's drawing the comparison to CA?

>252 DorsVenabili: It is entertaining, Kerri, for sure. We watched a lot of The Walking Dead and then the unrelenting darkness got old for us. I started with the graphic novels before the TV show, and those are really good, too. We've fallen behind now that the GN series is up in the 20s.

I can't comment on Bar Rescue and Ink Master, but I'm sure I watch something trashy. Does Brooklyn Nine-Nine count? I sure find that one funny.

>253 seasonsoflove: Do your parents know you watch Ink Master, young lady? Oh wait, you're all grown up, so what do you care. Stupid parents. You can probably watch X-Files any time you want now, too.

255roundballnz
Oct 14, 2014, 1:44 am

>254 jnwelch: Am very much enjoying it, only in the beginning but so much to love .......

256drachenbraut23
Oct 14, 2014, 5:12 am

>255 roundballnz: Alex, so far I Love it as well :)

257jnwelch
Oct 14, 2014, 9:11 am

>255 roundballnz: Glad to hear it, Alex. Even those who gave it lower marks, that I've read, admit it's entertaining.

>256 drachenbraut23: Keep us posted, Bianca. I'm glad it's off to a good start for you.
This topic was continued by Joe's Book Cafe 22.